Research covering ten years of studies found that digital detoxes can improve sleep quality, life satisfaction and mental health, while reducing anxiety, stress, depression and phone dependency. Digital detoxes also help restore the brain’s ability to focus deeply, something that is easily eroded by constant notifications and multitasking.
Benjamin Okolie, Technology Expert and Consultant in Africa at Kaspersky, says that device and Internet users in Nigeria may have much to gain from rethinking their digital habits.
“Exploding Topics’ data from 2024 shows that Nigerians spend three hours and 49 minutes per day on their smartphones. That’s a large amount of time daily, showing just how deeply devices are woven into our lives, and why it’s worth securing them and taking a break from them every so often.”
Building better habits
A full digital detox, where a person goes entirely offline, may not be realistic for everyone. But you can still take small steps that create space away from devices without disrupting your work or social life.
Here are some ways to get started:
- Using built-in phone settings to limit the time you spend on distracting apps.
- Turning off non-essential notifications for a set period each day.
- Avoid the habit of checking emails or messages the moment they arrive.
- Creating “tech-free zones” at home, such as the dinner table or bedroom.
If you are travelling or taking time off, these same principles apply. Limiting social media posts in real time, using secure connections, and letting colleagues or family know you are offline for a while can help you relax without worrying about your devices or data.
Keep your digital life safe while you switch off
Whether your digital detox is short or long, it is worth securing your online accounts and devices, so you do not return to unwelcome surprises.
- Make backups. It is advised to create up-to-date backups of important files stored both locally and online, and keep more than just one copy.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible so that logging in requires a one-time code. Keep in mind that codes sent via SMS are not secure. So, for critical accounts (banks, email, social networks, ecosystem accounts like Google and Apple), switch to an authenticator app wherever you can. A password manager program can help here, too.
- Strengthen your passwords. Review your critically important accounts: online banking, government service portals, crypto wallets, and so on. Replace weak passwords with unique and strong ones. Kaspersky Password Manager can generate and remember them for you.
- Install security updates. Update the operating systems, apps, and firmware on all your gadgets to the latest versions. Patches fix known vulnerabilities and lower the chances of a successful cyberattack.
- Protect your devices. Make sure your computer, tablet and smartphone are protected with reliable security software, like Kaspersky Premium.
- Review your subscriptions. Make a list of subscriptions to pause or cancel completely while you take your digital detox. And conversely, make sure the services that require ongoing payments are linked to an account with enough funds to cover them during your detox. Also, check how long your data is retained after suspending a subscription.
“Even if you cannot go completely offline, making deliberate choices about when and how you engage with your devices can help you feel more in control and present in your day-to-day life,” says Benjamin Okolie.
For more on staying safe online while enjoying a digital detox, visit https://www.kaspersky.co.za/blog/safe-digital-detox-2025/34558/