Digital fatigue becomes a common issue

Many people experience dizziness or anxiety when opening messaging apps like WhatsApp, even if they don’t respond to messages. This reaction is not uncommon and reflects a growing sense of digital overload.

Multiple apps, multiple pressures

Clara, a 29-year-old, uses several messaging apps to separate different parts of her life—family, friends, and colleagues. The accumulation of notifications and the pressure to respond to all of them causes her anxiety and a desire to ignore everything.

Psychologists observe the trend

Psychologists note that apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat have created a culture of constant availability, leading to stress and a sense of obligation to respond immediately. This pressure can be felt even before a person has had their morning coffee.

Young adults seek control

Vanessa Lalo, a clinical psychologist, observes that young adults are increasingly trying to regain control over their digital habits. Clara, for example, has informed her contacts that she may take days to respond and has used the "unavailable" feature to manage expectations.

Science explains the mental cost

Research shows that it takes over 23 minutes to regain focus after an interruption, such as a message or call. This means that constant interruptions throughout the day can overwhelm the brain, leading to mental exhaustion.

Surveys highlight the pressure

A survey found that over half of WhatsApp users feel they must respond or like messages, and nearly half feel the same pressure to react. This creates a state of constant alertness, known as chronic cognitive load, which can lead to informational fatigue.