Balancing Connectivity: Exploring the Benefits of Digital Minimalism

Balancing Connectivity: Exploring the Benefits of Digital Minimalism | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Balancing Connectivity: Exploring the Benefits of Digital Minimalism Summayya waseem, mohsin atta, Najma Iqbal Malik, Waseem ahmad This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7351440/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract In today's hyper-connected world, digital technologies play a pivotal role in our daily lives. While these technologies offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges, including digital overload and diminished well-being. This paper explores the concept of digital minimalism, a lifestyle choice that advocates for the intentional use of digital technologies to enhance one's quality of life. Current study examine the impact of digital minimalism on well being. By examining existing literature and empirical studies, this paper hypothesized that digital minimalism would positively predict the well being of millennial. Digital minimalism scale (Summayya et al., 2024), flourshing scale (Niazi et al., 2021 ) and satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) (Hayat et al., 2016 ) were used to measure the constructs. The study was carried out on a purposive sample of 700 millennials of Pakistan. Results depicted that digital minimalsim positively predict wellbeing and life satisfaction among millennails. The paper futher provides recommendations for its practical implementation. Humanities/Cultural and media studies Social science/Cultural and media studies Business and commerce/Information systems and information technology Social science/Science technology and society digital minimalism wellbeing life satisfaction Introduction In an era where digital technologies dominate nearly every facet of life, their ubiquity has revolutionized communication, education, and entertainment. These advancements, however, come with challenges, including digital dependency, information overload, and potential harm to psychological well-being. Millennials, often referred to as "digital natives," are particularly affected by the constant connectivity of modern technology. While the convenience of digital tools is undeniable, their pervasive presence has raised concerns about their impact on life satisfaction and overall well-being. The concept of digital minimalism has emerged as a counterbalance to the negative effects of digital excess. Digital minimalism is a deliberate lifestyle choice emphasizing intentional technology use to align with one’s values, priorities, and personal goals (Newport, 2019 ). By fostering a mindful approach to technology, digital minimalism seeks to reduce digital overload and enhance well-being, making it a relevant subject of inquiry in contemporary psychological research. This study investigates the role of digital minimalism in predicting well-being and life satisfaction, specifically among millennials in Pakistan. Literature Review The rapid integration of digital technologies into daily life has given rise to discussions on their psychological and social implications. Digital overload—a state characterized by excessive and often unnecessary engagement with technology—has been linked to stress, anxiety, and decreased life satisfaction (Wright et al., 2020 ). These findings underline the need for strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of digital excess on mental health and well-being. Digital minimalism, as proposed by Newport ( 2019 ), advocates a strategic and purposeful use of technology, prioritizing meaningful interactions while avoiding unnecessary distractions. Empirical evidence supports the notion that reducing screen time and adopting mindful digital practices can significantly improve well-being and enhance life satisfaction (Van Dijk et al., 2021). Furthermore, studies have highlighted the effectiveness of digital minimalism in reducing cognitive overload, fostering deeper social connections, and promoting a balanced lifestyle (Williams & Scott, 2022). Millennials, born in an era of technological proliferation, are uniquely positioned to benefit from digital minimalism. Despite their proficiency with technology, they are also disproportionately vulnerable to the negative consequences of overuse, including poor mental health outcomes (Twenge et al., 2019). Existing research on the relationship between digital minimalism and millennial well-being and life satisfaction is scarce, particularly within the cultural context of Pakistan, which adds to the relevance of this study. Rationale The pervasive influence of digital technologies on psychological well-being necessitates a comprehensive understanding of strategies to mitigate their adverse effects. While digital minimalism has been widely discussed in Western contexts, its impact on populations in developing countries remains underexplored. Millennials in Pakistan, representing a significant demographic cohort, face unique challenges in navigating digital environments influenced by socio-cultural norms, economic factors, and technological disparities. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by examining the relationship between digital minimalism, well-being, and life satisfaction among Pakistani millennials. It hypothesizes that digital minimalism positively predicts both well-being and life satisfaction, offering practical insights into how intentional technology use can enhance quality of life. By utilizing validated measurement tools such as the Digital Minimalism Scale (Summayya et al., 2024), Flourishing Scale (Niazi et al., 2021 ), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (Hayat et al., 2016 ). This study provides empirical evidence to inform interventions and policies aimed at improving psychological well-being in the digital age. The findings are expected to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on digital minimalism while offering actionable recommendations for promoting healthier digital habits among millennials. Such insights are particularly relevant in Pakistan, where technological adoption continues to rise, making it imperative to balance its benefits and challenges for societal well-being. Objectives To explore the relationship among study variables in millennials. To explore the effects of digital minimalism on life satisfaction and wellbeing. Hypotheses H1. Digital intent and digital declutter will positively predict wellbeing among millennials. H2. Digital intent and digital declutter will positively predict life satisfaction among millennials. Method Sample the Study A purposive sample of 700 millennials, aged 26 to 41 years ( M = 29.91, SD = 3.97), was selected to test the proposed model. Data were collected from Faisalabad, Lahore, and Sargodha, ensuring diverse representation of the targeted population. Participants were approached directly at their homes and educational institutions. The sample included 367 men and 333 women. Demographic Details Demographic information was recorded through a detailed questionnaire. Participants provided data on their gender, age, educational background, total number of social media accounts, most frequently used social media platforms, and daily time spent on social media. Inclusion Criteria Participants were included in the study based on the following criteria: They fell within the specified age range of 26–41 years, defining the millennial cohort. They had a minimum educational qualification of intermediate. They used various social media platforms. They were permanent residents of the specified geographical locations, ensuring cultural and social relevance. They owned essential technological devices, such as smartphones or computers, with access to the internet to engage in social media activities. Exclusion Criteria Participants were excluded if they: Did not fall within the specified millennial age range. Do not have any social media accounts. Instruments Digital Minimalism Scale. Digital minimalism scale developed by (Summayya et al., 2024) was used in the present study in order to measure digital minimalism in millennials. The scale comprised of 9 items. The response format was 5-point Likert type scale ranging from (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). The scale has two subscales. Item no (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) measure digital intent. Item no (6, 7, 8, and 9) measure digital declutter of social media. Reliability for the total scale is .70. High scores on this scale show high digital minimalism and vise versa. Flourishing Scale. Flourishing scale developed by Diener and Diener (2008) is used to measure psychological wellbeing. It is 8-item scale with 7-point Likert type scale ranging (1 = strongly disagree; 7 = strongly agree). The alpha reliability of the scale is α = .87. Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) ( Hayat et al., 2016 ). In this study, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in Urdu was used. This scale has total 5 items with no negative item. Each of item was scored on 5-point Likert scale (5 = Strongly agree; 1 = Strongly disagree). The Cronbach alpha reliability of the scale is .83 for the original scale (Diener et al., 1985). Procedure Permission was obtained from the original authors of the scales to use within the indigenous population. Participants were approached personally at their homes and workplaces to ensure a comfortable and familiar environment for data collection. They were asked to provide demographic details, including gender, age, education, total number of social media accounts, most frequently used platforms, and daily time spent on social media. Participants were assured of the confidentiality and anonymity of their responses, with a clear explanation that their information would be used solely for research purposes. They were requested to answer the scales honestly, and no time constraints were imposed to facilitate accurate and thoughtful responses. Personal visits allowed for a more engaging data collection process, fostering trust and cooperation. At the end of the data collection process, all participants were personally thanked for their cooperation, support, and valuable contributions to the research. All procedures were approved by University of Sargodha institutional review board. Results Demographic Characteristics of Study Variables The graph compares the number of people who have different levels of education, use different social media platforms, according to their gender. It reveals that more people are undergraduates than graduates or postgraduates, and that men have more than 5 accounts on social media as compared to women. WhatsApp is the most popular social media platform for both men and women. Similarly, men use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok more than women. It also shows that there are some variations in the time spend on social media among genders. Table 1 Psychometric Properties of Study Variables (N = 700) Range Variables M SD α Potential Actual Digital minimalism 29.81 5.52 .71 5–45 9–45 Digital intent 15.96 3.73 .71 5–25 5–25 Digital declutter 13.85 3.06 .70 4–20 4–20 Wellbeing 38.58 9.96 .88 7–56 8–56 Life satisfaction 16.30 3.35 .77 5–25 5–25 Table 1 presents the psychometric properties of the variables in the study. The reliability analysis shows that the scales and subscale have a reliability coefficient above .70, which suggests adequate internal consistency. Table 2 Correlation Matrix of Digital Minimalism, its Subscales with Life Satisfaction and Happiness Variables 1 2 3 4 5 1. Digital Intent - 2. Digital Declutter 31*** - 3. Digital Minimalism (total) .84*** .76*** - 4. Life Satisfaction .30*** .13*** .28*** - 5. Wellbeing .43*** .55* .23** .24*** - *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001. Table 2 shows correlations of digital minimalism scale, its subscales with life satisfaction and wellbeing Findings revealed that constructs have significant positive correlation with each other and their respective subscales. Table 3 Regression coefficient of digital intern and digital declutter on wellbeing (N = 700) Variable B SE t P 95% CI Constant 8.91 .57 15.64 .00 [7.79, 10.03] Digital intent .19 .04 4.55 .00 [.11, .27] Digital declutter .15 .04 3.47 .00 [.06,.24] Table 3 shows that both digital intent (B = .19, p < .001) and digital declutter (B = .15, p < .001) significantly predicted well-being. These findings indicate that individuals who intentionally manage their digital use and practice digital decluttering report higher levels of well-being. Table 4 Regression coefficient of digital intern and digital declutter on life satisfaction (N = 700) Variable B SE t P 95% CI Constant 21.48 1.26 16.98 .00 [18.99, 23.96] Digital intent .43 .09 4.53 .00 [.24, .61] Digital declutter .23 .10 2.33 .02 [.03,.43] Table 4 shows impact of Ivs on outcome variable social media rumination. The R 2 value of .067 revealed that predictors explain 67% variance in the outcome variable with F (2, 696) = 25.00, p < .001. The findings revealed that digital intent significantly positively life satisfaction (β = .19, p < .001). Whereas digital declutter has significant positive effect on life satisfaction (β = .10, p < .05). Discussion This study explored the relationship between digital minimalism, well-being, and life satisfaction among millennials in Pakistan. The findings highlight the significance of adopting digital minimalism as a strategy to mitigate the adverse psychological effects of excessive digital engagement. The results indicated that digital minimalism positively predicts both well-being and life satisfaction, affirming the hypotheses and aligning with previous studies conducted in Western contexts (Van Dijk et al., 2021; Williams & Scott, 2022). The subcomponents of digital minimalism—digital intent and digital declutter—demonstrated distinct contributions to life satisfaction and well-being. Digital intent, which reflects purposeful engagement with digital tools, was a significant predictor, underscoring the importance of aligning technology use with personal values and goals. Similarly, digital declutter, involving the elimination of non-essential digital interactions, contributed positively, suggesting that reducing digital noise can enhance mental clarity and emotional stability. These findings resonate with theoretical frameworks that advocate mindful technology use, such as Newport's digital minimalism (2019). By intentionally managing digital habits, individuals can alleviate cognitive overload, reduce stress, and foster deeper interpersonal connections. The study also underscores the unique challenges faced by millennials in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. As a cohort inherently attuned to digital tools, they benefit significantly from adopting practices that balance connectivity with well-being. The cultural context of Pakistan further enriches these findings. With its distinct socio-economic dynamics and rapidly increasing technological adoption, the study provides novel insights into how digital minimalism can be adapted to address the specific needs of developing nations. However, the observed gender differences in social media usage and platform preferences suggest that future research should examine how demographic factors mediate the effectiveness of digital minimalism strategies. Conclusion This study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital minimalism by offering empirical evidence of its positive impact on well-being and life satisfaction among Pakistani millennials. The findings highlight the value of intentional digital practices in enhancing psychological resilience and life satisfaction, providing actionable insights for individuals, educators, and policymakers. Practical recommendations include promoting awareness of digital minimalism through workshops, integrating it into educational curricula, and encouraging individuals to evaluate and align their technology use with personal goals. Future research should expand on these findings by exploring longitudinal effects, incorporating diverse cultural contexts, and investigating the role of emerging technologies in shaping digital habits. By advocating a balanced approach to connectivity, this study emphasizes the transformative potential of digital minimalism in fostering healthier digital habits and improving overall quality of life. It underscores the need for continued exploration into sustainable technology use, particularly in an era defined by constant digital evolution. Limitations and suggestions The purposive sampling limits generalizability to broader populations outside of Pakistani millennials. Self-report questionnaires may introduce biases like social desirability and inaccurate self-assessment. The cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between digital minimalism, well-being, and life satisfaction. Cultural and contextual factors specific to Pakistan limit applicability to other regions and demographics. Rapid technological advancements and emerging social media platforms were not accounted for in this study. Suggestions: Use random sampling for broader representation in future research. Incorporate mixed methods (e.g., interviews or behavioral observations) for more comprehensive insights. Conduct longitudinal studies to explore long-term effects and causality. Expand research to include cross-cultural and multi-generational comparisons. Examine the influence of emerging technologies on digital minimalism practices. Declarations Consent for publication N/A Declaration of conflicting interest The authors) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding statement This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Ethical approval and informed consent statements This study involves human participants. Ethical procedures followed the Declaration of Helsinki and were approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Department of Psychology at University of Sargodha [RefSU/PSY/1001-S] on Feb 19, 2024. Consent to participate Participants were informed about the purpose and scope of the study and were assured that their participation was entirely voluntary and that their responses would remain confidential. Informed consent was obtained from all participants between March 10–15, 2024. in writing prior to participation. Each participant received a survey packet containing three instruments along with an information sheet detailing the study procedures and their rights as participants. Data Availability Statement The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. References Bigler RS, Pahlke E, Williams AD, Vittrup B (2022) White parents’ socialization of racial attitudes: A commentary on Scott (2020). Perspectives on Psychological Science , 17 (3), 901–910 Hayat SZ, Khan S, Sadia R (2016) Resilience, Wisdom, and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Living with Families and in Old-Age Homes. Pakistan J Psychol Res, 31 (2) Newport C (2019) Digital minimalism: Choosing a focused life in a noisy world. Penguin Niazi S, Adil A, Abbas Q, Khan A (2021) Translation and Validation of Urdu Flourishing Scale. J Educational Sci Res, 8 (1) Summayya, Atta M, Malik NI (2024) Development and Validation of Digital Minimalism Scale. Kurd Stud 12(2):3526–3534 van den Boom W, Marra E, van der Vliet N, Elberse J, van Dijken S, van Dijk M, de Bruin M (2023) General Mental Health, Loneliness, and Life Satisfaction in the Context of COVID-19 Policies: A 2-Year Cohort Study in the Netherlands, April 2020–January 2022. Public Health Rep 138(5):812–821 Wright KP, Linton SK, Withrow D, Casiraghi L, Lanza SM, De La Iglesia H, Depner CM (2020) Sleep in university students prior to and during COVID-19 Stay-at-Home orders. Curr Biol 30(14):R797–R798 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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These advancements, however, come with challenges, including digital dependency, information overload, and potential harm to psychological well-being. Millennials, often referred to as \"digital natives,\" are particularly affected by the constant connectivity of modern technology. While the convenience of digital tools is undeniable, their pervasive presence has raised concerns about their impact on life satisfaction and overall well-being.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe concept of digital minimalism has emerged as a counterbalance to the negative effects of digital excess. Digital minimalism is a deliberate lifestyle choice emphasizing intentional technology use to align with one\u0026rsquo;s values, priorities, and personal goals (Newport, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). By fostering a mindful approach to technology, digital minimalism seeks to reduce digital overload and enhance well-being, making it a relevant subject of inquiry in contemporary psychological research. This study investigates the role of digital minimalism in predicting well-being and life satisfaction, specifically among millennials in Pakistan.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Literature Review","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe rapid integration of digital technologies into daily life has given rise to discussions on their psychological and social implications. Digital overload\u0026mdash;a state characterized by excessive and often unnecessary engagement with technology\u0026mdash;has been linked to stress, anxiety, and decreased life satisfaction (Wright et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). These findings underline the need for strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of digital excess on mental health and well-being.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital minimalism, as proposed by Newport (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), advocates a strategic and purposeful use of technology, prioritizing meaningful interactions while avoiding unnecessary distractions. Empirical evidence supports the notion that reducing screen time and adopting mindful digital practices can significantly improve well-being and enhance life satisfaction (Van Dijk et al., 2021). Furthermore, studies have highlighted the effectiveness of digital minimalism in reducing cognitive overload, fostering deeper social connections, and promoting a balanced lifestyle (Williams \u0026amp; Scott, 2022).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMillennials, born in an era of technological proliferation, are uniquely positioned to benefit from digital minimalism. Despite their proficiency with technology, they are also disproportionately vulnerable to the negative consequences of overuse, including poor mental health outcomes (Twenge et al., 2019). Existing research on the relationship between digital minimalism and millennial well-being and life satisfaction is scarce, particularly within the cultural context of Pakistan, which adds to the relevance of this study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eRationale\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe pervasive influence of digital technologies on psychological well-being necessitates a comprehensive understanding of strategies to mitigate their adverse effects. While digital minimalism has been widely discussed in Western contexts, its impact on populations in developing countries remains underexplored. Millennials in Pakistan, representing a significant demographic cohort, face unique challenges in navigating digital environments influenced by socio-cultural norms, economic factors, and technological disparities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study fills a critical gap in the literature by examining the relationship between digital minimalism, well-being, and life satisfaction among Pakistani millennials. It hypothesizes that digital minimalism positively predicts both well-being and life satisfaction, offering practical insights into how intentional technology use can enhance quality of life. By utilizing validated measurement tools such as the Digital Minimalism Scale (Summayya et al., 2024), Flourishing Scale (Niazi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (Hayat et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). This study provides empirical evidence to inform interventions and policies aimed at improving psychological well-being in the digital age.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings are expected to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on digital minimalism while offering actionable recommendations for promoting healthier digital habits among millennials. Such insights are particularly relevant in Pakistan, where technological adoption continues to rise, making it imperative to balance its benefits and challenges for societal well-being.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eObjectives\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo explore the relationship among study variables in millennials.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo explore the effects of digital minimalism on life satisfaction and wellbeing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHypotheses\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH1. Digital intent and digital declutter will positively predict wellbeing among millennials.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eH2. Digital intent and digital declutter will positively predict life satisfaction among millennials.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Method","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSample the Study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA purposive sample of 700 millennials, aged 26 to 41 years (\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;29.91, \u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.97), was selected to test the proposed model. Data were collected from Faisalabad, Lahore, and Sargodha, ensuring diverse representation of the targeted population. Participants were approached directly at their homes and educational institutions. The sample included 367 men and 333 women.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDemographic Details\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemographic information was recorded through a detailed questionnaire. Participants provided data on their gender, age, educational background, total number of social media accounts, most frequently used social media platforms, and daily time spent on social media.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInclusion Criteria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants were included in the study based on the following criteria:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThey fell within the specified age range of 26\u0026ndash;41 years, defining the millennial cohort.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThey had a minimum educational qualification of intermediate.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThey used various social media platforms.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThey were permanent residents of the specified geographical locations, ensuring cultural and social relevance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThey owned essential technological devices, such as smartphones or computers, with access to the internet to engage in social media activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExclusion Criteria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants were excluded if they:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eDid not fall within the specified millennial age range.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo not have any social media accounts.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eInstruments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDigital Minimalism Scale.\u003c/b\u003e Digital minimalism scale developed by (Summayya et al., 2024) was used in the present study in order to measure digital minimalism in millennials. The scale comprised of 9 items. The response format was 5-point Likert type scale ranging from (1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;strongly disagree, 5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;strongly agree). The scale has two subscales. Item no (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) measure digital intent. Item no (6, 7, 8, and 9) measure digital declutter of social media. Reliability for the total scale is .70. High scores on this scale show high digital minimalism and vise versa.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eFlourishing Scale.\u003c/b\u003e Flourishing scale developed by Diener and Diener (2008) is used to measure psychological wellbeing. It is 8-item scale with 7-point Likert type scale ranging (1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;strongly disagree; 7\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;strongly agree). The alpha reliability of the scale is α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.87.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSatisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) (\u003c/b\u003eHayat et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). In this study, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in Urdu was used. This scale has total 5 items with no negative item. Each of item was scored on 5-point Likert scale (5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly agree; 1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly disagree). The Cronbach alpha reliability of the scale is .83 for the original scale (Diener et al., 1985).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eProcedure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePermission was obtained from the original authors of the scales to use within the indigenous population. Participants were approached personally at their homes and workplaces to ensure a comfortable and familiar environment for data collection. They were asked to provide demographic details, including gender, age, education, total number of social media accounts, most frequently used platforms, and daily time spent on social media. Participants were assured of the confidentiality and anonymity of their responses, with a clear explanation that their information would be used solely for research purposes. They were requested to answer the scales honestly, and no time constraints were imposed to facilitate accurate and thoughtful responses. Personal visits allowed for a more engaging data collection process, fostering trust and cooperation. At the end of the data collection process, all participants were personally thanked for their cooperation, support, and valuable contributions to the research. All procedures were approved by University of Sargodha institutional review board.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDemographic Characteristics of Study Variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe graph compares the number of people who have different levels of education, use different social media platforms, according to their gender. It reveals that more people are undergraduates than graduates or postgraduates, and that men have more than 5 accounts on social media as compared to women. WhatsApp is the most popular social media platform for both men and women. Similarly, men use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok more than women. It also shows that there are some variations in the time spend on social media among genders.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePsychometric Properties of Study Variables (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;700)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRange\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSD\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eα\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePotential\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eActual\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital minimalism\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u0026ndash;45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital intent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital declutter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWellbeing\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u0026ndash;56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u0026ndash;56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLife satisfaction\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026ndash;25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e presents the psychometric properties of the variables in the study. The reliability analysis shows that the scales and subscale have a reliability coefficient above .70, which suggests adequate internal consistency.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCorrelation Matrix of Digital Minimalism, its Subscales with Life Satisfaction and Happiness\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1. Digital Intent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e-\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2. Digital Declutter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3. Digital Minimalism (total)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.84***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.76***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4. Life Satisfaction\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.30***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.13***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.28***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5. Wellbeing\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.43***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.55*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.23**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.24***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003e*p\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05. \u003cem\u003e**p\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.01. \u003cem\u003e***p\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows correlations of digital minimalism scale, its subscales with life satisfaction and wellbeing Findings revealed that constructs have significant positive correlation with each other and their respective subscales.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRegression coefficient of digital intern and digital declutter on wellbeing (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;700)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eB\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSE\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% CI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e[7.79, 10.03]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital intent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e[.11, .27]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital declutter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e[.06,.24]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows that both digital intent (B\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.19, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001) and digital declutter (B\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.15, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001) significantly predicted well-being. These findings indicate that individuals who intentionally manage their digital use and practice digital decluttering report higher levels of well-being.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRegression coefficient of digital intern and digital declutter on life satisfaction (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;700)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eB\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSE\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% CI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e[18.99, 23.96]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital intent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e[.24, .61]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigital declutter\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e[.03,.43]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e shows impact of Ivs on outcome variable social media rumination. The \u003cem\u003eR\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e value of .067 revealed that predictors explain 67% variance in the outcome variable with \u003cem\u003eF\u003c/em\u003e (2, 696)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;25.00, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001. The findings revealed that digital intent significantly positively life satisfaction (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.19, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Whereas digital declutter has significant positive effect on life satisfaction (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.10, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study explored the relationship between digital minimalism, well-being, and life satisfaction among millennials in Pakistan. The findings highlight the significance of adopting digital minimalism as a strategy to mitigate the adverse psychological effects of excessive digital engagement. The results indicated that digital minimalism positively predicts both well-being and life satisfaction, affirming the hypotheses and aligning with previous studies conducted in Western contexts (Van Dijk et al., 2021; Williams \u0026amp; Scott, 2022).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe subcomponents of digital minimalism\u0026mdash;digital intent and digital declutter\u0026mdash;demonstrated distinct contributions to life satisfaction and well-being. Digital intent, which reflects purposeful engagement with digital tools, was a significant predictor, underscoring the importance of aligning technology use with personal values and goals. Similarly, digital declutter, involving the elimination of non-essential digital interactions, contributed positively, suggesting that reducing digital noise can enhance mental clarity and emotional stability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese findings resonate with theoretical frameworks that advocate mindful technology use, such as Newport's digital minimalism (2019). By intentionally managing digital habits, individuals can alleviate cognitive overload, reduce stress, and foster deeper interpersonal connections. The study also underscores the unique challenges faced by millennials in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. As a cohort inherently attuned to digital tools, they benefit significantly from adopting practices that balance connectivity with well-being.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe cultural context of Pakistan further enriches these findings. With its distinct socio-economic dynamics and rapidly increasing technological adoption, the study provides novel insights into how digital minimalism can be adapted to address the specific needs of developing nations. However, the observed gender differences in social media usage and platform preferences suggest that future research should examine how demographic factors mediate the effectiveness of digital minimalism strategies.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital minimalism by offering empirical evidence of its positive impact on well-being and life satisfaction among Pakistani millennials. The findings highlight the value of intentional digital practices in enhancing psychological resilience and life satisfaction, providing actionable insights for individuals, educators, and policymakers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePractical recommendations include promoting awareness of digital minimalism through workshops, integrating it into educational curricula, and encouraging individuals to evaluate and align their technology use with personal goals. Future research should expand on these findings by exploring longitudinal effects, incorporating diverse cultural contexts, and investigating the role of emerging technologies in shaping digital habits.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBy advocating a balanced approach to connectivity, this study emphasizes the transformative potential of digital minimalism in fostering healthier digital habits and improving overall quality of life. It underscores the need for continued exploration into sustainable technology use, particularly in an era defined by constant digital evolution.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLimitations and suggestions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe purposive sampling limits generalizability to broader populations outside of Pakistani millennials.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-report questionnaires may introduce biases like social desirability and inaccurate self-assessment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between digital minimalism, well-being, and life satisfaction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eCultural and contextual factors specific to Pakistan limit applicability to other regions and demographics.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eRapid technological advancements and emerging social media platforms were not accounted for in this study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuggestions:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse random sampling for broader representation in future research.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIncorporate mixed methods (e.g., interviews or behavioral observations) for more comprehensive insights.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eConduct longitudinal studies to explore long-term effects and causality.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eExpand research to include cross-cultural and multi-generational comparisons.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamine the influence of emerging technologies on digital minimalism practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eN/A\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeclaration of conflicting interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding statement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval and informed consent statements\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study involves human participants. Ethical procedures followed the Declaration of Helsinki and were approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Department of Psychology at University of Sargodha [RefSU/PSY/1001-S] on Feb 19, 2024.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants were informed about the purpose and scope of the study and were assured that their participation was entirely voluntary and that their responses would remain confidential. Informed consent was obtained from all participants between March 10–15, 2024. in writing prior to participation. Each participant received a survey packet containing three instruments along with an information sheet detailing the study procedures and their rights as participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBigler RS, Pahlke E, Williams AD, Vittrup B (2022) White parents\u0026rsquo; socialization of racial attitudes: A commentary on Scott (2020). \u003cem\u003ePerspectives on Psychological Science\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e17\u003c/em\u003e(3), 901\u0026ndash;910\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHayat SZ, Khan S, Sadia R (2016) Resilience, Wisdom, and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Living with Families and in Old-Age Homes. Pakistan J Psychol Res, \u003cem\u003e31\u003c/em\u003e(2)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNewport C (2019) Digital minimalism: Choosing a focused life in a noisy world. Penguin\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNiazi S, Adil A, Abbas Q, Khan A (2021) Translation and Validation of Urdu Flourishing Scale. J Educational Sci Res, \u003cem\u003e8\u003c/em\u003e(1)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSummayya, Atta M, Malik NI (2024) Development and Validation of Digital Minimalism Scale. Kurd Stud 12(2):3526\u0026ndash;3534\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003evan den Boom W, Marra E, van der Vliet N, Elberse J, van Dijken S, van Dijk M, de Bruin M (2023) General Mental Health, Loneliness, and Life Satisfaction in the Context of COVID-19 Policies: A 2-Year Cohort Study in the Netherlands, April 2020\u0026ndash;January 2022. Public Health Rep 138(5):812\u0026ndash;821\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWright KP, Linton SK, Withrow D, Casiraghi L, Lanza SM, De La Iglesia H, Depner CM (2020) Sleep in university students prior to and during COVID-19 Stay-at-Home orders. Curr Biol 30(14):R797\u0026ndash;R798\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"digital minimalism, wellbeing, life satisfaction","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7351440/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7351440/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIn today's hyper-connected world, digital technologies play a pivotal role in our daily lives. While these technologies offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges, including digital overload and diminished well-being. This paper explores the concept of digital minimalism, a lifestyle choice that advocates for the intentional use of digital technologies to enhance one's quality of life. Current study examine the impact of digital minimalism on well being. By examining existing literature and empirical studies, this paper hypothesized that digital minimalism would positively predict the well being of millennial. Digital minimalism scale (Summayya et al., 2024), flourshing scale (Niazi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) and satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) (Hayat et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e) were used to measure the constructs. The study was carried out on a purposive sample of 700 millennials of Pakistan. Results depicted that digital minimalsim positively predict wellbeing and life satisfaction among millennails. The paper futher provides recommendations for its practical implementation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Balancing Connectivity: Exploring the Benefits of Digital Minimalism","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-06 14:38:00","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7351440/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"9c3e93f7-f665-4a9c-9bf5-bb3fd9877f3f","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 6th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":60569117,"name":"Humanities/Cultural and media studies"},{"id":60569118,"name":"Social science/Cultural and media studies"},{"id":60569119,"name":"Business and commerce/Information systems and information technology"},{"id":60569120,"name":"Social science/Science technology and society"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-02-08T18:39:19+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-06 14:38:00","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7351440","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7351440","identity":"rs-7351440","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}