"I used to want to discover new things, to search for, find, and create things. Now that impulse has disappeared. I don't discover anything truly interesting either online or offline—no inspiring web shops, no exciting forums, no music from bands that needs to be dragged out of the depths of subculture into the light of day. It feels as if the digital flood has washed away my curiosity and turned the once limitless world into a very monotonous, two-dimensional one. Or in short: as if it has separated me from my creative self."

According to Genner, this is a classic example of digital exhaustion. "Creative processes require leisure and often even boredom to develop. In the past, creative people consciously withdrew – to the countryside or during periods of rest – to allow new ideas to emerge. Today, smartphones make retreating from distractions even more difficult."

Modern technologies make our everyday lives easier, but constant digital overstimulation can cause exhaustion and loss of concentration. Dr. Sarah Genner, digital expert, explains: "Being offline is a luxury these days because many everyday services are tied to smartphones, and the pressure to be constantly available is growing."

Due to constant digital overstimulation, many people are losing their creative enthusiasm. How can one escape this state? How can we return to an unadulterated world where happiness doesn't come from sharing and the resulting likes on social media?

The answer: Micro-digital detox

A complete digital detox, however, isn't realistic for many. But even micro-breaks help to consciously set digital boundaries: "Deactivate push notifications, schedule specific screen-free times, and allow yourself to be unavailable on weekends," advises Genner.

Digital breaks not only strengthen concentration, but also well-being and interpersonal presence. Creative people benefit particularly from deliberately scheduling analog time—be it through nature, hobbies, or personal encounters. And once you've gotten used to these little offline breaks—it happens faster than you think—you might even suddenly find yourself moving around your home without taking your phone from room to room. Last week, for example, I only realized at the office that I had left my cell phone at home. Surprisingly, it was one of the most relaxed and spontaneous days in a long time: gazing through the treetops over morning coffee in the neighborhood café, striking up a casual conversation with the person sitting next to me, and later discovering a few cookbooks in the library.

And suddenly it was back – the feeling I had been missing so much: Me in my world, with my thoughts. Not staged for a post, not shaped by digital filters, but simply real, unadulterated, just for me.

By setting clear boundaries to the digital world, I catapulted myself back into reality. But what about children who don't yet possess this conscious self-regulation? Who are defenselessly at the mercy of cyberspace and its algorithms? They grow up in a world where digital stimuli shape their development. How does constant screen time affect the youngest generations?

Digital rules in schools – clear boundaries are important

Especially in schools, the question of how to use smartphones properly arises. "The smartphone can be a useful tool, but it can also be a massive nuisance," explains Genner. While some schools have already established clear rules, there are successful examples from countries like the Netherlands and England, where cell phones have been banned from classrooms.

But instead of talking exclusively about restrictions, the focus should be on holistic education: "More important than a smartphone ban is that young people get enough exercise, maintain friendships, and learn to use technology consciously."

And perhaps the biggest question of our time is not "What am I missing online?", but "What do I experience when I'm offline?"

Dr. Sarah Genner is a digital expert, university lecturer, and author. Her specialty is the impact of digital media and technologies on people, society, and the world of work.