BEIJING (SCMP): A social trend of removing distant contacts and resetting social relationships has emerged among young people in China.
This phenomenon, referred to as “interpersonal relationship reset syndrome”, has gone viral in Japan and resonates with many in China.
Fatigued by the demands of maintaining extensive social networks, some individuals have opted for the drastic measure of deleting distant contacts and even their social media accounts to completely disengage from acquaintances.
According to a survey conducted by Cross Marketing, around 37 per cent of individuals aged 20 to 60 in Japan have either engaged in or contemplated an “interpersonal relationship reset”.
Digital reset
Dr Paul Wong Wai-ching, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, told the Post that young people are deleting contacts and social media accounts to forge a “new identity”.
On social media, many cite “changing social circles and jobs” as significant factors motivating their desire to clean up their digital connections.
“Resetting interpersonal relationships is like the danshari of my mental home,” a Chinese internet user remarked, referencing the viral Japanese term that refers to the systematic decluttering of one’s living space.
“It represents a fresh start for me at the new year,” said a talk show performer in China, surnamed He, who deleted more than 8,000 WeChat contacts after closing his talk show club at the start of the year.
Professor Mitsunori Ishida from the School of Culture, Media, and Society at Waseda University noted that mobile phones and social media have facilitated not only connection but also disconnection.
Wong advised young people to choose their friends wisely, especially given the prevalence of loneliness in the digital age.
“Younger individuals may accumulate numerous social acquaintances in moments of loneliness, only to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume rather than cultivating meaningful friendships,” he explained.
Resetting social media accounts and contacts is just one among various digital detox strategies that young people are adopting.
These strategies range from switching to older phone models that prioritise basic functions such as calling, messaging, and listening to music, to altering their screen display to black and white to diminish the urge to use their phones, as well as securing their devices with apps or even timed lockboxes.
Several phone brands have launched stylish retro models aimed at young consumers.
Finnish telecommunications company Nokia released a revamped version of its classic model 3210 this year, priced at 379 yuan (US$54), which sold out within hours.
On Douban, a community-centred Chinese social media platform, two groups – Stay Away from the Screen Project and Anti-Technology Reliance – boast more than 80,000 members combined.
Participants are sharing their digital detox methods and expressing how reducing screen time has “improved their lives”.
The manager of the Stay Away group, @Luli, wrote: “We do not deny the necessity of digital screens and understand it is impossible to completely eliminate them, but we aim to achieve the small goal of consciously putting them down and reconnecting with the real world from time to time.
“Because flowers do not bloom because of screens, and grass does not flourish because of screens,” she stated. - South China Morning Post
