The importance of digital disconnection

Every day we spend a great deal of time in front of screens, therefore we must know how to manage the rests that bring us physical, mental and social benefits. In addition to willpower, there are technological solutions to manage this.

How many minutes go by from the moment when you block your mobile phone until you look at it again? And how many times a day do you touch the screen to use it? Each person will respond differently to these questions, but the results from studies covering the growing dependence on these devices are sending out warnings. On average, a standard Internet user spends almost 7 hours a day (6 hours, 58 minutes) browsing the net on all their devices, according to the Digital 2022 Global Overview Report.

The figures calculate all activity with screens, but when we look at the smallest ones, the result is categorical. People on the 10 main mobile phone markets in the world spend 4.8 hours in front of a Smartphone, as indicated by the State of Mobile 2022 report by the applications analysis company, App Annie. And when talking about generations, young people spend most time in front of their screens. The figures point towards the fact that the so-called Gen Z spends over 70% of its time using their telephones, while 24% of these young people admit that overuse is already a problem in their lives.

Taking into account that 7-8 hours a day are spent sleeping and a similar amount of time is used working or studying, the data from the State of Mobile 2022 report is even more concerning. The figures indicate that we spend almost a third of our time while awake looking at our screens.

With this consolidated, rising trend in the younger generations, voices are growing raising the alarm about the need to practice so-called digital disconnection to prevent habitual mental health consequences. Social isolation, loneliness, communication problems, depression or insecurity, amongst others, are some of the problems caused by addition to mobile phones and social media.

A necessary switch-off

Taking a technological rest involves positive effects for moods and it improves the feeling of well-being. Experts underscore the need to activate a self-disconnection which, once the initial anxiety has passed caused by this isolation, brings clear mental, social and even physical benefits.

Those who separate themselves from their screens and from their distractions improve their concentration and their social relations as they interact more with other people, something that is essential in order to feel good. And to do this, they must come out of their comfort zones that are limited by their screens and spend more time in the open air. Connection with nature, which at the same time prevents physical inactivity, is also a determining factor. Studies confirm that a simple 10 minute walk outside the home improves the physical state and along with this, mental health.

The condition of digital silence also invites reflection and meditation. Spending five minutes in silence, without any distractions or notifications, helps to connect with oneself and to relax.

Apps for disconnecting

When willpower is not enough to disconnect from the digital world, technology itself offers solutions to manage it. There are applications that limit the screen’s active time, others that control the frequency of visiting applications, or others that remind users that the time has come to disconnect. The switch-off can also be applied through games. The Digital Detox app, for example, presents challenges for its users to minimise the time they spend in front of the screen. Others such as Phoneless allow playing and competing along with friends. Anything goes to achieve the important and necessary digital disconnection.

The Yondr method

When disconnecting becomes impossible for whatever reason, there are always physical solutions. One of them is called Yondr and it consists of an individual bag made of neoprene that is blocked with a microchip when you place your telephone inside it. It was invented by Graham Dugoni, an artist who was tired of seeing how Smartphones appeared everywhere. His goal was to create spaces free from devices and distractions.

Its use has now spread amongst artists and institutions. To start off, those attending are notified when they arrive at the entrance to the place where telephones may not be used that they must leave the device in a pouch that is blocked when it is closed. Users always keep this bag with them, which is only automatically deactivated when passing through some machines at the exit of the premises in question. Therefore, it is physically impossible to interact with the telephone, which at first is uncomfortable, but ends up pleasing its users. “There have been cases of people having panic attacks as they cannot access their mobile, but these are very few,” Dugoni explains before assuring that the initial anxiety changes to satisfaction. “People come out saying that it is incredible to not see a single Smartphone. There is more energy amongst the public and the feelings become much more accentuated,” he indicates.

Some artists such as Alicia Keys and Guns n’ Roses have already tried Yondr in some of their concerts, while the actor Chris Rock used the pouch to completely isolate himself during his rehearsals for the Oscar ceremony.