Digital (dis-)engagement and individual autonomy on Chinese social media: The case of Xiaohongshu

As digital platforms become increasingly embedded in everyday life, users struggle to balance digital engagement with individual autonomy. Through thematic analysis of online posts and in-depth interviews with individuals who have uninstalled Xiaohongshu, a popular integrated social media platform in China, this research investigates the dynamics of digital disconnection using the theoretical framework of relational autonomy. Findings suggest that perceived threats to three dimensions of autonomy, namely self-determination, self-governance, and self-authorization, drive users to disconnect in search of temporary relief from platform influence. However, disconnection is not absolute; as users return, they employ strategies such as selective reconnection and reclamation of agency to mitigate platform dominance. Moving beyond the binary view of resistance and control, this study reframes digital disconnection as a dynamic, negotiated process motivated by the pursuit of autonomy and shaped by the interplay of platform power and sociocultural environments.