Digital Detox Strategies Through Physical and Recreational Activities and Their Impact on Student Mental Health and Well-Being
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i2.880Keywords:
Digital Detoxification, Physical Activity, Mental Health, Student Well-Being, Digital Technologies, Education.Abstract
The excessive use of digital devices has become a growing challenge for educational institutions due to its potential impact on students' mental health and well-being. The aim of this study was to analyze digital detoxification strategies through physical-recreational activities and their influence on mental health and student well-being from the perspective of Basic Education and High School teachers. A quantitative approach with a non-experimental, descriptive, and cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of 40 teachers who completed a structured questionnaire containing 20 multiple-choice questions administered through Google Forms. The results revealed that 85% of the participants believe that excessive use of digital devices negatively affects students’ mental health, while 87.5% perceived an increase in screen time in recent years. Furthermore, 95% stated that physical-recreational activities contribute positively to emotional well-being, and 97.5% considered that combining digital detoxification with physical activity can significantly improve students’ mental health. Sports and recreational games were identified as the most effective strategies for reducing digital dependency. The findings suggest that the implementation of permanent digital detoxification programs supported by physical-recreational activities is a viable alternative for promoting healthy habits, strengthening emotional well-being, and fostering the comprehensive development of students in increasingly digitalized educational environments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Doris Raquel Chamba Benavidez, Edith Ermeida Sarmiento Calva, Graciela Noemí Bonilla Chasiluisa, Herminio Mateo Durán Quituisaca, Pamela Fernanda Piedra Tito
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