Digital Hoarding

Slug

Checked

Yes

Digital Hoarding

[dij-i-tuhl hohr-ding]

What Is Digital Hoarding?

Digital hoarding is the excessive accumulation and difficulty deleting digital content, including emails, photos, documents, tabs, apps, and files, even when they're no longer needed or useful.

Word Origins:

The term combines "digital" (relating to computer technology) with "hoarding" (excessive collection of items). The concept emerged in the early 2000s as personal digital storage became more accessible and abundant. First documented cases of digital hoarding were studied around 2015.

Signs of Digital Hoarding

Saving multiple copies of the same files

Keeping thousands of unread emails

Difficulty deciding what to delete

Having numerous unused apps

Maintaining excessive browser tabs

Running out of storage space regularly

Feeling anxious about deleting anything

Impact on Digital Wellness

Digital hoarding can lead to increased stress, reduced device performance, and difficulty finding important information. It often results in digital clutter that affects productivity and mental clarity, similar to physical clutter's impact on living spaces.

Digital Declutter: A systematic approach to removing unnecessary digital content and establishing healthy digital habits

Digital Hygiene: Maintaining healthy practices in digital spaces and device management

Digital Anxiety: Stress and worry related to digital content management and technology use

Digital Hoarding