Làm thử Đề thi thử tốt nghiệp THPT · Tiếng Anh · Đề 088

Question 16. a. In addition, many companies now give employees a few paid days each year to volunteer.
b. Volunteering has become increasingly popular among young professionals in Vietnam.
c. Universities, too, have begun to include volunteer hours as part of graduation requirements.
d. As a result, more students and workers are gaining hands-on experience while helping their communities.
e. One reason for this trend is that many organisations now offer flexible, short-term projects.

What seems clear is that schools need to adapt. Teachers who once relied solely on printed novels are now encouraging students to read a wider range of materials, (21) ____ e-books, news websites and even well-written blogs. At the same time, many schools set aside a short period each day purely for silent reading, (22) ____ students choose their own material and read without interruption. The goal is not to force a single format on every learner, but to keep young people reading, whatever the medium.

What seems clear is that schools need to adapt. Teachers who once relied solely on printed novels are now encouraging students to read a wider range of materials, (21) ____ e-books, news websites and even well-written blogs. At the same time, many schools set aside a short period each day purely for silent reading, (22) ____ students choose their own material and read without interruption. The goal is not to force a single format on every learner, but to keep young people reading, whatever the medium.

What seems clear is that schools need to adapt. Teachers who once relied solely on printed novels are now encouraging students to read a wider range of materials, (21) ____ e-books, news websites and even well-written blogs. At the same time, many schools set aside a short period each day purely for silent reading, (22) ____ students choose their own material and read without interruption. The goal is not to force a single format on every learner, but to keep young people reading, whatever the medium.

What seems clear is that schools need to adapt. Teachers who once relied solely on printed novels are now encouraging students to read a wider range of materials, (21) ____ e-books, news websites and even well-written blogs. At the same time, many schools set aside a short period each day purely for silent reading, (22) ____ students choose their own material and read without interruption. The goal is not to force a single format on every learner, but to keep young people reading, whatever the medium.

What seems clear is that schools need to adapt. Teachers who once relied solely on printed novels are now encouraging students to read a wider range of materials, (21) ____ e-books, news websites and even well-written blogs. At the same time, many schools set aside a short period each day purely for silent reading, (22) ____ students choose their own material and read without interruption. The goal is not to force a single format on every learner, but to keep young people reading, whatever the medium.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

A growing number of schools around the world are experimenting with a four-day school week, and the results are attracting attention from educators everywhere. Under this model, students attend classes for four longer days instead of five shorter ones, while the fifth day is left free for rest, family time or catching up on schoolwork. Supporters say the change gives teenagers, who are famously short on sleep, a much-needed extra day to recover before the next school week begins.

At Lakeside High School, one of the first schools to adopt the four-day timetable, teachers report that students seem more alert and less irritable on Mondays than they used to be. Because lessons now run almost an hour longer each day, teachers have had to redesign their lesson plans so that classes stay engaging from start to finish. Attendance rates have also improved slightly, and the school's principal believes this is linked to the extra day of rest. Not every subject fits neatly into the new schedule, however; some laboratory sessions and sports practices have had to be shortened or rearranged.

Critics of the model point out that a shorter school week is not automatically better for every family. Parents who work full-time often struggle to arrange childcare on the day off, particularly if they cannot afford private tutoring or after-school clubs. There is also concern that longer school days may tire younger children more than they help, since concentration tends to drop after several hours of continuous lessons. A handful of districts that tried the model have already switched back to five days after receiving complaints from parents.

Despite these concerns, most schools that have adopted the four-day week say they have no plans to reverse the decision. Surveys carried out among staff and students at Lakeside suggest that both groups generally prefer the new arrangement, even if it took a term or two to adjust. Whether the model will spread further remains to be seen, but for now it is being watched closely by school administrators searching for ways to support students' well-being without sacrificing learning time.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.

In an age when smartphones rarely leave arm's reach, the term "digital detox" has entered everyday vocabulary. It generally describes a deliberate period, ranging from a few hours to several weeks, during which a person avoids screens, social media and constant notifications. What began as a niche wellness trend a decade ago has grown into a recognised response to what researchers now call "technology overload", a state in which constant connectivity leaves little room for uninterrupted thought.

Psychologists offer several explanations for why unplugging, even briefly, can be beneficial. [I] Notifications interrupt attention dozens of times a day, and each interruption forces the brain to spend extra effort reorienting itself to the original task. [II] Over time, this constant switching can leave people feeling mentally drained despite having done little physical work. [III] Reducing screen time, researchers argue, allows the brain's attention networks to recover, much as muscles recover after exercise. [IV] Some studies further suggest that people who take regular breaks from their phones report falling asleep more easily, since exposure to screens before bed is known to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Despite this growing body of evidence, a full digital detox is neither realistic nor necessary for most people. Many jobs now depend heavily on email and instant messaging, and abandoning these tools entirely, even for a weekend, can create more stress than it relieves once a person returns to an overflowing inbox. For this reason, many wellness experts now recommend "digital moderation" rather than complete withdrawal, encouraging small, sustainable changes such as switching off notifications after a certain hour or leaving phones outside the bedroom. Such adjustments, though modest, are often easier to maintain than a dramatic week-long break and are more likely to become lasting habits.

Critics of the digital detox movement caution against treating it as a cure-all. They point out that technology itself is neutral; it is the way people use it that determines whether it helps or harms their well-being. A teenager who spends an hour video-calling a grandparent overseas is using the same device as one who scrolls mindlessly through unrelated content for the same length of time, yet the psychological effects are unlikely to be identical. For this reason, some researchers argue that teaching people to use technology mindfully may ultimately matter more than persuading them to give it up altogether, even temporarily.