In today’s hyperconnected world, the concept of “digital disconnection” has become a key area of academic inquiry. Increasingly, people are reflecting on the impact of digital overuse and seeking ways to disconnect, a trend intensified by the digitalization and COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, while smartphones and apps were essential for staying connected and managing isolation, the negative effects of constant digital engagement such as “doomscrolling”, became more apparent. This heightened awareness has fueled interest in digital disconnection, prompting a broader conversation about managing the balance between connection and disconnection.
Before the pandemic, the idea of “digital detox”—voluntarily limiting digital media use—was already gaining traction in popular media, self-help literature, and research projects. Digital detoxes took many forms, from retreats and self-help books to tools like “dumb phones” and screen-time control apps. These practices have not only captured public interest but also laid the groundwork for the emerging interdisciplinary field of digital disconnection research. Despite increasing interest in digital disconnection tools, existing research has not fully mapped the sociotechnical landscape of “digital disconnection apps”, leaving key questions such as what these tools are, how they are designed, the forces shaping them, and their implications for users’ digital media engagement not fully answered.
This dissertation seeks to fill these gaps by examining the emergence, design, and use of digital disconnection apps, focusing on how they mediate individuals’ engagement and disengagement with digital technologies. Drawing from various theories, literature, and empirical data, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the role of disconnection apps in digital culture, assessing both their potential benefits and inherent limitations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research progresses from qualitative studies of specific “gamified” apps to quantitative assessments of technological disconnection measures in a broader societal context. It contributes to the ongoing discussion on the challenges of managing digital media consumption and the broader implications of relying on technological solutions for digital disconnection.
Yukun You successfully defended her dissertation on 14 March 2025.
Trial lecture
Designated topic: "The Appification of Everything: Precursors, Concepts, Methods, and Approaches"
Evaluation committee
- Professor Ben Light, University of Salford (first opponent)
- Associate Professor Anne Helmond, Utrecht University (second opponent)
- Professor Gunnar Liestøl, University of Oslo (committee administrator)
Chair of the defence
Supervisors
- Professor Trine Syvertsen, University of Oslo
- Professor Taina Bucher, University of Oslo