Abstract:

Youth digital minimalism is a lifestyle that consciously frees oneself from the constraints of digital technology. From a Marxist perspectives, digital minimalism represents a social consciousness that critically reflects on the relationship between technological alienation and human subjectivity in the digital age. By refining digital practices, youth retain only core digital tools, consume prudently, practice social "simplification," and adopt a silent and anti-disturbance approach, purifying the digital environment and setting up "digital-free days" to deeply disconnect from the digital world and regain authentic life experiences. The intrinsic driving force of digital minimalism stems from a resentment towards the infringement of privacy and freedom, a pursuit of spiritual independence, and critical reflection on the power structure in the digital age. However, digital minimalism also faces inherent paradoxes. Psychological pitfalls under an escape mentality, conflicts between low-desire ideals and practical dependencies, and the solidification of negative attitudes can all become sources of impaired mental health, weakened life motivation, and hindered personal growth among youth. Surface resistance under capital logic, the disguise of consumerism, and the loss of spiritual exploration all create a gap between ideals and reality in digital minimalism. To resolve these paradoxes, psychological counseling and skill balancing, social integration and information precision, as well as cognitive education and consumption guidance, can help youth alleviate mental health burdens, enhance life motivation, and promote personal growth.

Key words: digital minimalism, digital technology, social trend, values