Digital well-being in 2025: Can tech help us unplug or is it making us more addicted?

Has the meaning of digital well-being changed in 2025? And how do we cope with the constantly evolving meaning of it? We discuss some steps for digital detox.

In 2025, digital well-being isn’t just an app, it’s a conversation. A contradiction, really. On one hand, tech giants are rolling out smarter tools to help us unplug. On the other, screen time has never been higher, and tech dependency is now a formal health concern. So the question is: are we reclaiming control, or just learning to live with our digital leash?

Ensuring digital well-being in 2025

Screen time surge and its impact

The numbers tell a story. Most adults and teenagers in India and globally are clocking anywhere between 7.5 to 9 hours of screen time per day. That’s nearly one-third of a full day, and it’s taking a toll. Studies link this overexposure to poor sleep, rising stress levels, and mental health dips, especially in adolescents.

In 2024, the World Health Organization officially recognized “digital dependency disorder”. A move that turned what felt like a first-world worry into a global public health issue.

Digital well-being tools: What’s new in 2025

What started as screen-time counters on phones has now evolved into AI-powered wellness ecosystems. Google’s Digital Wellbeing app tracks everything. From how many times you unlock your phone to app timers that nudge you to take a break. Focus and Bedtime modes mute distractions when you need to disconnect.

Apple’s Focus Mode goes a step further by using AI to predict when you’re slipping into distraction loops and gently pulling you back.

Then there are wearables like the Oura Ring 4 or Muse 2 that track real-time stress, sleep quality, and even prompt breathing exercises when your heart rate spikes.

Digital mental health platforms like Calm, InnerAI, and even VR therapy rooms are seeing traction for users who want structured ways to decompress without logging off entirely.

Some studies show that using these tools can help reduce screen time by up to 42% in just three months. That’s promising, but only if people stick with it.

Are we unplugging or just managing addiction?

Here’s where it gets nuanced. Digital well-being in 2025 isn’t about cutting tech out. It’s about using tech with intention. Experts call it a shift from “disconnecting” to “realigning.” The goal is to match your device use with your personal values, whether that’s family time, focused work, or better sleep.

Tech-free retreats, analogue journals, and even offline Sundays are gaining popularity, especially among Gen Z and young professionals. Still, compulsive use remains a problem for many, suggesting we need more education, better tools, and deeper self-awareness, not just prettier dashboards.

Striking the right balance

Digital well-being today is about making tech work for you, not walking away from it. With the right tools and clear boundaries, 2025 can be the year we finally learn how to log on without losing ourselves.