Affordances of Digital Detox Applications: Exploring Gamification and Undesign as Design Principles.

AbstractWhile smartphones and mobile apps offer convenience and entertainment, they also contribute to distractions and experience of stress in users’ lives. In response to these challenges, digital detox – the voluntary restriction of digital media use – has surged as a significant sociocultural phenomenon. To meet this growing demand, numerous products and services, particularly mobile applications with self-restricting features, have emerged. This study investigates the affordances of digital detox applications that incorporate gamified and self-inhibiting design to limit smartphone usage. Adopting the conceptual frameworks of gamification and undesign, we conducted an app walkthrough study analyzing four smartphone apps: Forest, Hold, Cleverest, and Freedom. Our analysis provides a systematic overview of how gamification and undesign elements are integrated into smartphone applications. Additionally, we explore the connection between these affordances and the monetization models of the apps, revealing the paradox of using technology to mitigate technology overuse. This study provides critical insights into implications of digital detox apps, contributing to the broader discourse on digital disconnection and well-being research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]