Trying to unplug for 24 hours: Conspiracy mentality predicts social isolation and negative emotions when refraining from internet use

Abstract

Imagine that you pledge to not go online for 24 hours. How would you feel? And is your unplugging experience affected by the extent to which you believe in conspiracy theories? In two studies, we invited participants to unplug for 24 hours from all digital media and online content (e.g., internet-based television, radio, digital newspapers, smart phones, and social media apps). In a Chinese sample (Study 1, N = 97) we found that feeling less socially supported and more isolated during the unplugging experience did not affect positive emotions and that unplugging was associated with more negative emotions and lower life satisfaction. This association was replicated for negative emotions in an Australian sample (Study 2, N = 102). Furthermore, there was evidence in both studies that believing more strongly in conspiracy theories was associated with more negative emotions during the unplugging experience. Higher social isolation and lower social support mediated the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and negative emotions during unplugging. Our results suggest that part of the reason people feel negative about unplugging is because they feel they are cut off from social support — an aversive experience that is particularly prevalent among those who embrace conspiracy theories to a greater extent.