Why we feel regret and guilt about using digital technology in our free time – A European perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID21561809
AuthorsChristine Schoetensack (0000-0002-1540-3692, Liverpool John Moores University), Ruth Ogden (0000-0002-0931-1986, Liverpool John Moores University, corresponding author), Katarzyna Goncikowska (0000-0001-9763-3370, Institute of Psychology), Joanna Witowska (0000-0002-9063-049X, Maria Grzegorzewska Academy of Special Education), Georgina Giner-Domínguez (0009-0004-2866-4041, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca), Sébastien Chappuis (0009-0001-2935-1889, University of Fribourg), Tereza Klegr (0000-0002-2672-4790, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Sociology), Rafael Valenzuela (0000-0002-9935-1745, Sermes CRO (Spain)), Julie Papastamatelou (0000-0001-9793-2055, Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health), Marc Wittmann (0000-0002-4483-7334, Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health), Nuria Codina (0000-0003-0280-3651, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca), José Vicente Pestana (0000-0002-8329-0650, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca), Mónica Fernández Boente (0009-0009-7937-0015), Quentin Meteier (0000-0003-2568-9898, University of Fribourg), Chantal Martin Sölch (0000-0003-3859-9023), Chantal Martin-Soelch (University of Fribourg), Vanda Černohorská (0000-0002-0440-0664, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Sociology)
Year2026
Volume184
Pages109083
Publication date2026-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueComputers in Human Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0747-5632 • E-ISSN: 1873-7692
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.chb.2026.109083
OpenAlexW7164853135
LanguageEN
References cited73

Despite the widespread use of digital technologies during free time and its potential benefits for wellbeing and recovery from work life, digital engagement is considered a low-quality form of free time that often results in significant regret and guilt. Given its increasing significance as an accessible source of relaxation and enjoyment in today’s post-COVID digitised society and the negative health consequences of chronic regret and guilt, the current study sought to explore the drivers of guilt and regret following digital free time across Europe. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 150 participants from Czechia, Germany, Poland, Spain, French-speaking Switzerland and the UK. A thematic analysis of the data showed that digital free time was perceived as inconsistent with the ideal of meaningful and self-determined free time and led to a spiral of guilty pleasure: Unintentional or involuntary uptake of digital activity, digital engagement beyond the desired duration and consumption of unwanted content were followed by a negative evaluation of one’s own digital behaviour as a self-regulative failure and digital free time as unproductive, passive, unhealthy and inauthentic. The perceived meaninglessness and lack of control over digital free time engendered feelings of guilt and regret, which were maintained through continued digital engagement during free time. Measures to reduce guilt and regret may require societal-level changes in the way digital technology use during free time is portrayed in media and mainstream discourse in combination with structural changes to digital entertainment apps or services

Regret · Time perspective · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour · Technostress in Professional Settings