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-- Draft creation using the WP:Article wizard -- Digital Dissociation is a contemporary psychological concept describing a state of detachment from the physical self and immediate environment, triggered by excessive immersion in digital technologies. Unlike traditional dissociation, which is often linked to trauma or stress, digital dissociation emerges in everyday contexts such as prolonged use of smartphones, social media, online gaming, or virtual reality environments.
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<!-- Important, do not remove anything above this line before article has been created. -->[[File
igital_Dissociation.png|thumb|Digital Dissociation is a proposed psychological concept describing a state of mental detachment, altered self-awareness, or reduced presence in physical reality, associated with excessive or immersive use of digital technologies.]]
{{Short description|Psychological concept of detachment linked to digital technology use}}
'''Digital Dissociation''' is a proposed psychological concept describing a state of mental detachment, altered self-awareness, or reduced presence in physical reality, associated with excessive or immersive use of digital technologies. This includes smartphones, social media, online gaming, and virtual reality. The phenomenon reflects how constant connectivity and immersion in digital spaces can reshape human perception, identity, and emotional regulation.<ref>Turkle, Sherry. ''Alone Together''. Basic Books, 2011.</ref><ref>Yee, Nick. ''The Proteus Paradox: How Online Games and Virtual Worlds Change Usβand How They Don't''. Yale University Press, 2014.</ref>
== Definition ==
Digital Dissociation refers to the disconnection between an individual's cognitive, emotional, or bodily awareness and their immediate physical environment, triggered by prolonged interaction with digital platforms. It manifests as time distortion, emotional numbness, identity confusion, or difficulty re-engaging with offline life.<ref>Turkle, Sherry. ''Reclaiming Conversation''. Penguin Press, 2015.</ref> The concept draws from the broader term [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociation]], but adapts it to the unique conditions of the digital era.
== Historical Background ==
Dissociation as a psychological term has been used for over a century to describe disruptions in consciousness, identity, memory, and perception. With the rise of digital technologies in the 21st century, psychologists and sociologists began observing similar patterns of detachment linked not to trauma, but to digital immersion. The phrase ''Digital Dissociation'' has been informally used in cyberpsychology and media studies to describe the sense of "losing oneself" in virtual environments, gaming, or online interactions.<ref>Turkle, Sherry. ''Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet''. Simon & Schuster, 1995.</ref>
== Characteristics ==
Common characteristics of Digital Dissociation include:
'''Time distortion''' β losing track of hours while engaged with digital devices
'''Reduced bodily awareness''' β sensations of being physically disconnected while online
'''Emotional flattening''' β feeling emotionally numb or less responsive after extended digital immersion
'''Identity blurring''' β confusion between oneβs online persona and offline self
'''Social disengagement''' β difficulty switching from digital interaction to real-world communication
These experiences may vary in intensity, ranging from mild detachment to states resembling clinical dissociation.
== Causes ==
Several factors are proposed as contributing to Digital Dissociation:
'''Virtual immersion''' β use of highly interactive VR or gaming environments that replace physical awareness
'''Information overload''' β continuous notifications, feeds, and multitasking online leading to cognitive fragmentation
'''Identity fragmentation''' β over-identification with digital avatars, usernames, or curated social media identities
'''Neurocognitive shifts''' β potential alterations in attention, memory, and emotional regulation due to prolonged digital engagement
== Relation to Other Concepts ==
Digital Dissociation overlaps with, but is distinct from, other concepts:
* [[Dissociation (psychology)]] β a broader psychological disruption, often trauma-related
* [[Internet addiction disorder]] β focused on compulsive digital use, not perceptual detachment
* [[Technostress]] β stress resulting from overuse of digital technologies
* [[Flow (psychology)]] β a deep state of concentration that may resemble dissociation, but typically with positive effects
* [[Cyberpsychology]] β the study of how technology influences human behavior
== Consequences ==
Potential outcomes of Digital Dissociation include:
* Reduced empathy and diminished presence in offline interactions
* Anxiety, depression, or heightened stress levels
* Academic and occupational underperformance due to impaired concentration
* Identity confusion in adolescents navigating both online and offline selves
* Long-term effects on social development and mental health
== Research and Criticism ==
Digital Dissociation is not currently a formal clinical diagnosis in the ''DSM-5'' or ''ICD-11''. Some researchers argue it overlaps with existing constructs like internet addiction and technostress, while others propose it captures a unique psychological phenomenon emerging in digital culture.
Critics suggest that the term may risk pathologizing normal digital behaviors. Supporters counter that the concept highlights a growing psychological pattern that requires further study in the fields of cyberpsychology, digital sociology, and neuroscience.<ref>Kiraly, O. et al. (2014). "Problematic internet use and psychological well-being: A review." ''Journal of Behavioral Addictions''.</ref><ref>Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). "Internet addiction in psychotherapy." ''International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction''.</ref>
== Future Directions ==
Emerging research investigates:
* The impact of virtual reality and metaverse technologies on identity and presence
* The role of emotional regulation in moderating dissociative experiences online
* Preventive strategies, such as digital literacy, mindful technology use, and therapeutic interventions
* Cross-cultural perspectives on digital detachment and its relation to social norms
== See also ==
* [[Dissociation (psychology)]]
* [[Internet addiction disorder]]
* [[Cyberpsychology]]
* [[Technostress]]
* [[Flow (psychology)]]<br />
== References ==
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. -->
{{reflist}}
Continue reading...
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{{AfC submission|t||ts=20250902083451|u=Psimeonova|ns=118|demo=}}
<!-- Important, do not remove anything above this line before article has been created. -->[[File
igital_Dissociation.png|thumb|Digital Dissociation is a proposed psychological concept describing a state of mental detachment, altered self-awareness, or reduced presence in physical reality, associated with excessive or immersive use of digital technologies.]]{{Short description|Psychological concept of detachment linked to digital technology use}}
'''Digital Dissociation''' is a proposed psychological concept describing a state of mental detachment, altered self-awareness, or reduced presence in physical reality, associated with excessive or immersive use of digital technologies. This includes smartphones, social media, online gaming, and virtual reality. The phenomenon reflects how constant connectivity and immersion in digital spaces can reshape human perception, identity, and emotional regulation.<ref>Turkle, Sherry. ''Alone Together''. Basic Books, 2011.</ref><ref>Yee, Nick. ''The Proteus Paradox: How Online Games and Virtual Worlds Change Usβand How They Don't''. Yale University Press, 2014.</ref>
== Definition ==
Digital Dissociation refers to the disconnection between an individual's cognitive, emotional, or bodily awareness and their immediate physical environment, triggered by prolonged interaction with digital platforms. It manifests as time distortion, emotional numbness, identity confusion, or difficulty re-engaging with offline life.<ref>Turkle, Sherry. ''Reclaiming Conversation''. Penguin Press, 2015.</ref> The concept draws from the broader term [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociation]], but adapts it to the unique conditions of the digital era.
== Historical Background ==
Dissociation as a psychological term has been used for over a century to describe disruptions in consciousness, identity, memory, and perception. With the rise of digital technologies in the 21st century, psychologists and sociologists began observing similar patterns of detachment linked not to trauma, but to digital immersion. The phrase ''Digital Dissociation'' has been informally used in cyberpsychology and media studies to describe the sense of "losing oneself" in virtual environments, gaming, or online interactions.<ref>Turkle, Sherry. ''Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet''. Simon & Schuster, 1995.</ref>
== Characteristics ==
Common characteristics of Digital Dissociation include:
'''Time distortion''' β losing track of hours while engaged with digital devices
'''Reduced bodily awareness''' β sensations of being physically disconnected while online
'''Emotional flattening''' β feeling emotionally numb or less responsive after extended digital immersion
'''Identity blurring''' β confusion between oneβs online persona and offline self
'''Social disengagement''' β difficulty switching from digital interaction to real-world communication
These experiences may vary in intensity, ranging from mild detachment to states resembling clinical dissociation.
== Causes ==
Several factors are proposed as contributing to Digital Dissociation:
'''Virtual immersion''' β use of highly interactive VR or gaming environments that replace physical awareness
'''Information overload''' β continuous notifications, feeds, and multitasking online leading to cognitive fragmentation
'''Identity fragmentation''' β over-identification with digital avatars, usernames, or curated social media identities
'''Neurocognitive shifts''' β potential alterations in attention, memory, and emotional regulation due to prolonged digital engagement
== Relation to Other Concepts ==
Digital Dissociation overlaps with, but is distinct from, other concepts:
* [[Dissociation (psychology)]] β a broader psychological disruption, often trauma-related
* [[Internet addiction disorder]] β focused on compulsive digital use, not perceptual detachment
* [[Technostress]] β stress resulting from overuse of digital technologies
* [[Flow (psychology)]] β a deep state of concentration that may resemble dissociation, but typically with positive effects
* [[Cyberpsychology]] β the study of how technology influences human behavior
== Consequences ==
Potential outcomes of Digital Dissociation include:
* Reduced empathy and diminished presence in offline interactions
* Anxiety, depression, or heightened stress levels
* Academic and occupational underperformance due to impaired concentration
* Identity confusion in adolescents navigating both online and offline selves
* Long-term effects on social development and mental health
== Research and Criticism ==
Digital Dissociation is not currently a formal clinical diagnosis in the ''DSM-5'' or ''ICD-11''. Some researchers argue it overlaps with existing constructs like internet addiction and technostress, while others propose it captures a unique psychological phenomenon emerging in digital culture.
Critics suggest that the term may risk pathologizing normal digital behaviors. Supporters counter that the concept highlights a growing psychological pattern that requires further study in the fields of cyberpsychology, digital sociology, and neuroscience.<ref>Kiraly, O. et al. (2014). "Problematic internet use and psychological well-being: A review." ''Journal of Behavioral Addictions''.</ref><ref>Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2015). "Internet addiction in psychotherapy." ''International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction''.</ref>
== Future Directions ==
Emerging research investigates:
* The impact of virtual reality and metaverse technologies on identity and presence
* The role of emotional regulation in moderating dissociative experiences online
* Preventive strategies, such as digital literacy, mindful technology use, and therapeutic interventions
* Cross-cultural perspectives on digital detachment and its relation to social norms
== See also ==
* [[Dissociation (psychology)]]
* [[Internet addiction disorder]]
* [[Cyberpsychology]]
* [[Technostress]]
* [[Flow (psychology)]]<br />
== References ==
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. -->
{{reflist}}
Continue reading...
