Coping strategy

As digital hoarding becomes increasingly normalized, questions arise not about how much people save, but when saving begins to signal psychological strain.

"The behavior is widespread in an era of information overload and should not be narrowly associated with clinical settings," said Wu Jiaqi, a Beijing-based psychological counselor with eight years of professional experience.

"For many young people, especially digital natives, collecting and storing information is an adaptive response to a highly digitized world rather than a sign of pathology."

Wu distinguishes between what she terms "functional digital hoarding" and "anxiety-driven accumulation".

The former is usually purposeful and goal-oriented, often linked to work, creativity or learning, and can enhance efficiency and a sense of control.

The latter, by contrast, tends to be rigid and compulsive, driven by fear of loss or insecurity, and gradually erodes emotional well-being as stored materials become impossible to process or meaningfully use.

"Some young people report little distress about keeping vast amounts of digital content, believing the materials will prove valuable in the future," she said.

"For many, data storage functions as a form of strategic reserve or an externalized memory system, an attempt to counter the limits of human attention and the instability of the world around them."

From a clinical perspective, Wu said intervention is only necessary when digital hoarding begins to impair daily functioning, emotional stability or financial boundaries. As a psychodynamic practitioner, she regards such behavior not as the problem itself, but as a coping strategy shaped by deeper psychological needs.

"Digital hoarding is ultimately a mirror of our time. It reflects people's desire for certainty, continuity and control in a rapidly changing world. The key is not whether we save, but whether we can stay psychologically grounded using technology as a tool, rather than letting it define or overwhelm us," said Wu.

Zou, the planner from Suzhou, said she has genuine respect for those who practice digital minimalism.

"I really admire people who organize files, delete content, and keep strict systems. Anyone who can do that consistently must be very disciplined, but I don't feel the need to follow the same approach myself," she said.