Làm thử Đề thi thử tốt nghiệp THPT · Tiếng Anh · Đề 090

Question 15. a. Dear Mai, I hope you're doing well since we last talked about living more sustainably.
b. First, I started separating my rubbish and composting food waste in the garden.
c. I'm writing to tell you about the changes I've made at home this month.
d. Would you like to try some of these ideas together next month?
e. Second, I switched to reusable bags and bottles instead of single-use plastic ones.

Question 16. a. As a result, farmland on the outskirts is rapidly being turned into housing estates.
b. Vietnam's cities have grown at an extraordinary pace over the past two decades.
c. However, this rapid growth has also put pressure on transport systems and green spaces.
d. Millions of people have moved from rural areas in search of better jobs and education.
e. City planners are now looking for ways to balance growth with liveability.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

Most of us no longer think of checking our phones as a choice. The moment a notification appears, some part of our attention drifts toward the screen, even if we do not open the app straight away. Psychologists call this constant, low-level awareness of pending messages and updates the 'mental load' of social media, and it is beginning to worry researchers as much as the time we spend actually scrolling. Unlike watching television, which mostly stops demanding our attention once we turn it off, social media keeps sending small signals long after we have put the phone down.

The mental load is different from simple screen time because it never fully switches off. A student revising for an exam might glance at their phone only twice an hour, yet still lose focus because part of their mind is tracking how many likes a photo has received or whether a friend has replied to a message. Studies at several universities have found that this background monitoring measurably reduces performance on tasks that require sustained concentration, such as reading or problem-solving.

Unlike a heavy workload that ends when a project is finished, the mental load of social media rarely has a clear stopping point. New content is always being generated, so there is always something to check. Teenagers report feeling that they must reply quickly to avoid seeming rude, while adults describe a nagging sense that they are missing something important if they stay offline for too long. This pressure can build into genuine anxiety over time, particularly for people who already struggle with stress.

None of this means social media itself is harmful. The problem lies in how constantly available it has become, and in the expectation that users should respond instantly. Simple habits, such as turning off non-essential notifications or setting fixed times to check messages, can lower the mental load without requiring anyone to give up their accounts altogether. Schools and workplaces are also starting to notice the pattern, and some now build short offline periods into the day so that people can concentrate without the pull of their phones. The goal is not to escape social media completely but to put boundaries back where the technology has quietly removed them.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.

A new report from a research team at a Vietnamese university has looked into what happens when people voluntarily give up their smartphones for a week, a practice often called a 'digital detox.' The study followed 120 university students, half of whom agreed to hand in their phones for seven days while the other half kept their phones as usual. The aim was to measure changes in sleep, mood, and academic focus rather than simply asking participants how they felt about the experience.

In the first two days, most participants in the detox group reported feeling restless and checking their pockets out of habit. [I] By the third day, however, many said the urge to reach for a phone had noticeably faded. [II] Researchers noted that this pattern matched earlier studies on habit change, which suggest that automatic behaviours often weaken within 48 to 72 hours once the trigger, in this case the phone, is removed. [III] Sleep researchers on the team were particularly interested in this shift, since late-night phone use is a well-known cause of poor sleep. [IV]

The results showed clear differences between the two groups. Students in the detox group slept, on average, forty minutes longer per night than those who kept their phones, and they described their sleep as more restful. Detox participants also performed slightly better on a set of concentration exercises administered at the end of the week, although the difference in academic focus was smaller than the difference in sleep. Interestingly, the study found no significant change in participants' reported mood, which surprised the researchers, who had expected the detox group to feel noticeably happier or calmer.

The report's authors are careful to note that a week without a phone does not permanently change how someone uses technology once the experiment ends. Most detox participants admitted that they returned to their previous habits within a few days of getting their phones back, and only a small number said they planned to keep any of the new habits, such as leaving their phone outside the bedroom at night. The authors argue that this does not make the detox pointless; rather, it suggests that lasting change requires ongoing structure, not a single short break.