Many people today are struggling with digital clutter. This means having too many files, photos, apps, and emails saved on phones or computers. A new survey shows that more than three out of four people have more digital data than they need.
The research, done in early 2025 by Compass Datacenters, asked 1,000 people about their digital habits. It found that digital overload is becoming a serious problem, and most people don’t know how to deal with it.
Why It Feels Overwhelming
Sorting through digital files can feel stressful. Around 33% of people said the thought of organizing their digital space made them feel uneasy or anxious. Only a small number—about 10% felt sure of how to clean up their digital mess.
People understand that too many saved files can slow down devices and make it hard to find what’s important. Yet, most don’t take the time to delete old data. This is often because they don’t know where to start or feel it will take too long.
The High Price of Keeping Everything
Holding on to unnecessary data isn’t just bad for your device— it can also hurt your wallet. Cloud storage services charge monthly fees, and these costs add up. The survey shared an example: If someone starts paying $20 per month for storage at age 25 and continues until they’re 85, they could spend about $40,000 in total.
Many younger people are choosing to buy more storage space instead of clearing files they no longer use.
Easy Ways to Start Cleaning
Cleaning your digital space doesn’t have to be difficult. Begin by checking your photo gallery. Delete pictures that are blurry, repeated, or no longer needed. Doing this once a month makes it easier.
Then, look at your apps. Are there any you haven’t opened in a long time? If yes, remove them. You can always download them again later.
Your downloads folder and email inbox can also hold a lot of junk. Old receipts, random files, and unread emails can take up space. Try removing emails with attachments first—they usually take up more storage.
Instead of paying every month for cloud storage, you can buy a hard drive once and store your files there. These drives offer lots of space at a one-time cost that can save you money over the years.
Make Digital Clean-Up a Routine
Just like cleaning your home, organizing your digital life works best when done regularly. Pick a day every few months to sort through your phone or computer. It may seem boring at first, but it feels great once done.
By cleaning your digital space often, you can keep your devices faster, reduce stress, and stop spending extra money on storage you might not need.
