From Digital Obsession to Digital Burnout in Second Language Acquisition

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an augmented reliance on technology for second language acquisition (SLA). Although digital technologies have proven beneficial in language learning, their excessive use has led to digital burnout among students. This systematic review analyzes the existing research regarding digital burnout in SLA, exploring symptoms, consequences, and coping strategies. Digital burnout has various symptoms, such as decreased motivation and performance, mental fatigue, and physical health problems. Some of the bad effects are low linguistic development, diminished engagement, and negative emotional responses. The review also suggests strategies to avoid digital burnout, such as establishing sound study plans, prioritizing self-care, and establishing clear boundaries between academic and personal physical areas. As a reverse trend, simplicity in SLA with more real-time learning and balanced digitalization should be encouraged, as it brings focus, clarity, and less stress to our lives, creating more time and freedom for personal pursuits and promoting self-sustainability.