ICM Blog Post Module 3 | Detox Data Assignment results

For various reasons, people all over the world have things that they do, consume, watch that make them happy. However, sometimes too much of something can lead to a dependence, and it’s good to take a break every once in a while.

For the Data Detox Assignment in module three, I stopped consuming all world/local/national news for five days. The news is usually something that is very negative, but I have a very strong urge to always want to check it.

I went into all my news apps and silenced notifications so I wouldn’t be enticed to see breaking news as it pops up. For reference, on a normal day I probably check my news apps (ABC, FOX) close to 10 times a day. I kept track of how many times I either thought about checking my phone/apps or how many times I physically went to go for my phone with the intention of looking before stopping myself. I also recorded my overall feelings each day and how I was dealing with it. This took place from 7/21-7/25. 

Here are the results:

Day one – Times reached for news: 3

I wanted to look a few times to see if there was anything of note, but I was able to refrain myself. It felt good not to look at a notification and go “not again” or have some other similar reaction to disappointing news. 

Day two – Times reached for news: 1

This day I only wanted to reach for my phone once, but once again I was able to stop myself. It definitely felt less stressful already not looking through all the current events and seeing headlines like “Missing child” or something like that. Starting to feel like I could get used to this.

Day three – Times reached for news: 0

Day three was surprising to me. I’m someone who always has their phone in their hands looking at something, so I was shocked when I didn’t really feel the urge to check the news. It still felt more peaceful without war updates and other stories though.

Day four – Times reached for news: 1

Day four I had an instinct to check my phone out of pure habit, but after that initial time I never had an itch to check my phone again. 

Day five – Times reached for news: 0

After this five day detox of the news, I decided that I’m going to keep my notifications off for those apps, at least for a little while. It felt so nice not to keep up with depressing stories and it certainly felt like a break was in order.