Work

To detox or not to detox? The impact of different approaches to social media detox strategies on body image and wellbeing

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: This study compared the efficacy of three 7-day detox strategies on young women's body image and wellbeing. The three strategies were: (a) Insta/TikTok break, (b) daily time-cap (30 minutes max), and (c) Insta/TikTok cleanse (removing appearance-focused content from feeds). A sample of 175 women aged 17–35 ( M = 22.71) was randomized into one of the three detox conditions or social media use as usual. Participants completed assessments of self-objectification, appearance satisfaction, body appreciation, media pressure, and wellbeing at baseline, day 3 (check-in) and day 7 (posttest). Significant interactions showed that appearance satisfaction improved for all three detox groups from baseline to posttest, but no changes occurred for the control group. Appearance satisfaction also increased from day 3 to posttest in the Insta/TikTok cleanse group. Wellbeing improved from baseline to posttest for the daily time-cap group. Increases in wellbeing also occurred from day 3 to day 7 for the Insta/TikTok break and daily time-cap groups. No further interactions were found. Findings shed light on the varying effects of three 7-day social media detox strategies for promoting appearance satisfaction and overall wellbeing. Cleansing Instagram and TikTok feeds of appearance-focused content emerged as a particularly promising approach for improving appearance satisfaction. • Appearance satisfaction improved for all three detox groups from baseline to day 7. • Appearance satisfaction also improved from days 3–7 for the cleanse group. • Wellbeing improved from baseline to day 7 for the daily time-cap group. • Wellbeing also improved from days 3–7 for the time-cap and Insta/TikTok break groups.

Source: Body Image

DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101849

Authors: Veya Seekis, Kate E. Mulgrew, Ivanka Prichard, Hannah Manning, Isabella Wood, Cloudia Stevenson

Institutions: Griffith University, University of the Sunshine Coast, Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250