Digital minimalism, mental health and psychosocial consequences in the face of subjectivation technologies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14571/brajets.v18.n4.1257-1271Keywords:
Digital minimalism, Mental health, Psychosocial harm, subjectivation technologiesAbstract
Globally, many people spend hours a day in front of screens, connected to the internet, using different platforms and applications, considered technologies of subjectivation, for distinct purposes: whether to study, get information, work, have fun/distract themselves, or monetize. The objective of this study is to problematize and reflect on the psychosocial impacts that technologies of subjectivation have on individuals in contemporary society, proposing the alternative of digital minimalism as a strategy to promote mental health. Methodologically, we used the structure of a theoretical essay, based on readings and interpretations through physical and electronic academic manuscripts. We gathered information to obtain a comprehensive and in-depth view of the proposed theme, enabling both a critical-reflective reading of the selected materials and the evaluation of different perspectives and the development of a more solid and informed understanding in order to fill the theoretical-practical gaps, added to our expertise and knowledge about digital minimalism, mental health, and psychosocial consequences in the face of technologies of subjectivation. As a result of our contributions as essayists, we highlight digital minimalism as a strategy for dealing with the consequences of the excessive use of technologies of subjectivation. Access to, understanding of, and interpretation of the selected materials, along with our theoretical and cultural appropriation, allowed us to develop reflections and actions in which minimalism can bring psychosocial benefits to mental health at an individual level, as well as other impacts of technologies of subjectivation on mental health, principles, and practices of digital minimalism. We conclude that public policies, the creation and maintenance of collective mobilizations are essential for social progress, as well as future studies on improving digital minimalism to overcome individual limitations, expanding to collective actions, both for the prevention of psychosocial harm and for the promotion of mental health.
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