Digital Detox Policies: Leadership Strategies for a Hyperconnected World

The paper discusses how digital detox policies can help manage hyper-connectivity challenges in workplaces, focusing on organizations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This quantitative study evaluates the perceptions of employees and leaders, identifies the challenges and benefits of digital detox strategies, and explores leadership practices that promote successful implementation. The findings show that digital detox policies enhance employee well-being, lower stress and burnout, and improve work-life balance, thereby boosting organizational performance. Effective leadership practices include modeling healthy digital behaviors, setting technology usage boundaries, and involving employees in policy design. However, barriers such as resistance to change, communication gaps, and cultural factors affect policy acceptance. Implications for leaders and policymakers emphasize the need for tailored strategies, leadership development, and regulatory support to institutionalize digital detox initiatives. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these policies and their adaptability to emerging technologies.