Boise State to Launch Digital Detox Certificate for Students Seeking Healthier Tech Habits
Boise State University is adding a new academic credential designed to help students step back from constant connectivity. Beginning in fall 2026, students at the university can add a digital detox certificate to their degree plan — a program built around developing healthier habits with technology rather than abandoning it altogether.
How the Certificate Came Together
The certificate was developed by College of Innovation + Design Interim Dean Jen Schneider alongside two faculty members: Jill Heney of the Department of Writing Studies and Alexis Kenyon of Interdisciplinary Professional Studies. It will be housed within the School for the Digital Future. The cornerstone course, titled Digital Minimalism, was designed by Heney and Kenyon, both of whom have extensive experience incorporating technology into classroom instruction. Heney piloted the course during fall 2025, giving students a chance to examine their relationship with screens, devices, and social media in a structured academic setting.
The course is not about rejecting digital tools. “Digital minimalism is not about cutting all use of digital tools, because we live in this world where we need to use them,” Heney said. “It’s about how we can have agency and be the drivers of our usage.”
Addressing Student Anxiety Around Technology
The faculty behind the certificate point to a growing body of research linking smartphone and social media use to rising anxiety among young people. Kenyon noted that constant notifications and competing digital demands can leave students feeling overwhelmed and out of control. “We’re trying to address the anxiety that comes with constantly feeling like you’re out of control because you’re getting pinged from different directions,” she said. Her summary of the course’s message is direct: “Your phone isn’t the little boss telling you what to do.”
During the fall 2025 pilot, students took on personal analog projects and reflected on how technology fits into their daily lives. One example shared by Heney involved a student who began writing and mailing postcards to friends — rediscovering the slower, more deliberate process of physical correspondence and the meaningful response it generated from recipients. For many younger students, exploring a world less mediated by screens was a genuinely new experience.
What Students Need to Earn the Certificate
To complete the digital detox certificate, students will need six additional credits beyond the Digital Minimalism cornerstone course, drawn from a selection of courses related to community engagement, field work, and wellness. The certificate is structured as an add-on to an existing degree plan, making it accessible to students across Boise State’s various colleges and programs.
Digital Minimalism is now open for enrollment for the fall 2026 semester. Students curious about whether this credential fits their academic goals can look into the School for the Digital Future for details on course selection and requirements.
What Comes Next
As Boise State moves forward with this certificate, it joins a broader conversation in Idaho education about preparing students not just for technical competency, but for the human dimensions of living and working in a digital world. Families and students across the Treasure Valley who are interested in education that balances innovation with well-being may find this kind of curriculum increasingly relevant — particularly as schools at every level grapple with screen time and technology’s role in learning. For more on innovation in Idaho education, see how Chip Class is sparking curiosity and confidence in future young innovators, and check out opportunities like the $1 million Yass Prize still open to Idaho educators.