‘We gave up the internet for five days - I'm surprised my marriage didn't end'
Rewind 30 years back to 1995 and you may remember a time before the internet really took off when we had landlines, knocked on our friends' doors to see if they could play out and came home when the streetlights came on. So if you were asked to go back 30 years and give up the internet for five days, could you?
Social media influencer Laura, 44, who relies on the internet to share the best bits of her family life with her 107k Instagram followers, agreed to take on the challenge of switching off the wifi for five days.
Her children Lewis, 21, Eva, 12, Megan, 11 and Harrison, 10, are also avid internet users and have unlimited access to Nintendo and EA Sports FC games, Disney +, Netflix and SnapChat.
Laura says the funniest thing that happened during the five day switch off was when her 10 year old asked her 'Where did the internet come from?' 'I had to tell him I had no idea because I couldn't Google it,' she laughs. 'The experiment was great at first but the kids soon got annoyed with each other, because they had to spend more time together and they missed talking to their friends.
'We talked more, there were less distractions and we watched TV together as a family because there was no streaming so we couldn't all watch separate things. I really enjoyed taking the kids back to 1995, because I grew up in the 1990s and telling them if we wanted to play with our friends we knocked on their doors.'
Surprisingly, when Laura told the kids they were going to be going without WiFi, data, or their phones for five days they were actually excited about it. One of the highlights of the experiment was when they plugged in the old dial up landline.
'Megan was like 'This is like something I've seen in a museum' which was devastating for me, as I remember them. They used the phone to ring their grandparents which was nice, as they usually just text them. But they couldn't ring their friends as they didn't know their phone numbers.
"In the evening, without our normal gadgets, I suggested we listen to some music on the personal headset - I made them listen to the Spice Girls, and they were like: 'Did you really listen to this?' I told them I did, I even went to see them live. They quite liked playing with Tamagotchis too - they have made a bit of a comeback recently so they weren't as unfamiliar as some of the other gadgets we had.'
But two days in and the cracks began to show. 'After a couple of days I started to feel quite stressed about not being able to connect - not just for work but also for things like banking, school updates and reminders from other parents. Our day-to-day lives are not set up to live in a world without the internet - I even do my banking online as my local branch has shut down.'
'Harry asked me: 'How long is this going to last?' and I have to admit I could see where he was coming from - as I wasn't enjoying it either,' Laura says. 'Literally everything we do now is online - my job, the kids' homework, school correspondence, our food shop, banking. I wouldn't want to do it again unless I had a whole week off work and I didn't have any commitments. It's nice for a weekend but Monday to Friday, no.'
That said the experiment did have some positives as well as negatives. 'We're constantly being bombarded with noise from everything - pings from our phones, watches - so it's nice to switch off as we don't need to be constantly connected.
"There are also a lot of positives to social media, working from home, connecting with other people but I'm glad I had the experiences I did growing up.
'And the experiment wasn't all bad - at bedtime Eva was reading, Harry was doing Lego, and Megan was playing with loom-bands. And when I said it was bedtime they just went: 'Ok.' We'll be having more screen free nights going forward - even if it's only once or twice a week. I was surprised there were no major meltdowns and my marriage didn't end.'
Katie Milligan, Deputy CEO of Openreach, said: 'It's fascinating to see how different parts of the UK are embracing the online world and adapting to it in unique ways. At the same time, it's encouraging that many recognise the importance of taking time away from devices and digital connectivity."
'With full fibre now available to almost 19 million homes and businesses across the UK, thanks to the dedication of Openreach engineers, we're proud to provide the nation's most reliable broadband technology. It's a game-changer, allowing people to do what they need to do - only faster and more efficiently.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Ibiza ‘Final Boss' Jack Kay parties at £9m mansion in Ibiza with bikini girls & dwarf from Lamine Yamal's birthday party
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IBIZA "Final Boss" Jack Kay has hosted a huge late night party with dozens of bikini girls and a dwarf from Lamine Yamal's birthday bash. The British social media megastar spent the weekend celebrating his new found fame at a £9million mansion in Ibiza. 8 Ibiza 'Final Boss' Jack Kay has hosted a huge late night party with dozens of bikini girls and a dwarf from Lamine Yamal's birthday bash Credit: Instagram 8 The British social media megastar spent the weekend celebrating his new found fame at a £9million mansion in Ibiza Credit: Instagram 8 Juan Alberto Duaso. one of five dwarfs at Yamal's birthday bash, dressed up like Jack for an appearance in Ibiza Credit: Instagram 8 Jack even took a dip in the mansion's swimming pool as he held a girl up on his shoulders Credit: Instagram Jack, 26, found viral fame last week when a video of him dancing on the party island racked up millions of views. His unique brown bob trim stole the show as he was quickly dubbed the "Ibiza Final Boss" for his raver style and look. The Newcastle-based lad was later flown out to Spain in a luxury £5million private jet with four of his mates to the upmarket Santa Eulalia region. There he stayed in the mega five-bedroom mansion, The Blue Stone Villa. Sat tucked away in the hills of Ibiza, the glitzy gaff comes with a large outdoor swimming pool, private chef and its own indoor nightclub. There's even a barbecue, DJ booth and state-of-the-art surround sound system with unrivalled privacy for all guests. Jack's new found fame was on full display on Saturday as he invited 100 of his fans, who he described as "charvas", to the villa. Popular DJs Deniz Menendez and Rsquared performed for the surging crowds all as Jack embraced the party vibes. Pictures show the tattooed Brit in a white vest and black shorts with his trademark shades and thick chain clutching a vape. Next to him stood several tanned, blonde beauties. Ibiza 'Final Boss' Jack Kay's barber tells ALL about viral star's legendary bob cut after his return from Spain Just 24 hours later, the partying continued for Jack as he hosted a second bumper event at the holiday home with a host of new mates. One of those who made an appearance has already made headlines this summer after he was a part of FC Barcelona star Yamine Yamal's 18th birthday party. The teen sensation landed himself in hot water and is reportedly facing a government investigation after he allegedly hired people with dwarfism to perform. Juan Alberto Duaso says he was one of five dwarfs at the bash with him now making an appearance alongside Jack in Ibiza. Duaso was filmed sporting a bowl cut wig and mirroring Jack as the influencer described him as a "mini" version of himself. A video of the pair dancing was captioned: "The final boss and the mini boss out tonight, see you soon." After Yamal's alleged stunt, disability rights groups ordered a crackdown on celebrities hiring people with dwarfism. Laws in Spain prohibit the public exposure or criticism of a person due to their disability if it is aimed at humiliating or mocking them for entertainment. 8 Jack spent the weekend celebrating his new found fame with drinks, women and his friends Credit: Instagram 8 Jack's fame kicked off when a video of him dancing in Ibiza went viral Credit: TikTok/@zerosixwestibiza 8 Jack has already landed a management company and a trip on a private jet in the wake of the new fame Credit: Instagram/@ In July, the Spanish government tightened these regulations with fines now reaching over £518,000. At the time Duaso responded by blasting rights groups for "taking away work" from dwarves. Footage from the Sunday night shenanigans show Duaso and Jack dancing around a bucket of drinks next to girls in bikinis and fellow Ibiza boys. A notable omission from the guest list across both nights was Jack's rumoured girlfriend Alisha Cook. Unimpressed Alisha, 23, is said to have pulled the plug on their relationship days into Jack's fateful Ibiza trip as she was sick of him partying with the lads, according to pals. The pair have reconciled in recent days - but Jack is still "skating on thin ice", according to sources speaking to the MailOnline. A friend said: "It's hard to believe that he's been branded the super king of Ibiza - the final boss - when she's been left on her own back here." Jack is enjoying a jam-packed schedule back on the party island after signing up with top celeb talent agency Neon Management. He joins the ranks of Joey Essex and Love Island's Harriet and Ronnie on their books. A source told The Sun: 'Signing up with the agency was a no-brainer given their past success and they've been inundated with requests for him already. Final Boss' barber spills the secrets behind the trim By Patrick Harrington ALI Kurbani, master-barber at B&D Barbers in Blaydon, Newcastle, welcomed Jack into the chair before he jetted back for a tour round Ibiza. He told the Sun that he was baffled to see his handiwork hitting the headlines. Ali said: "I have been doing this job a while now and this is amazing. "We have cut Jack's hair for around ten years and we didn't expect this." Ali, from Kurdistan, said that Jack has kept the same cut for a while. After wild speculation online about the style Jack requests - from Robin Hood to a bowl-cut or "short back and Battle of Hastings" - Ali gave us the truth. He said: "To get this style, Jack asks for a medium skin fade and then a bit of length of the top. But the key to creating the crisp Lego-like shape is to "keep the fringe sharp at the front," he said. B&D Barbers charges £26 for the Ibiza Boss special - but being a "very nice guy" Jack sometimes pays over the odds. Ali's cut said: "It made me very happy when I saw the video had gone viral but it was a shock. "I am very happy about it all and Jack is a very nice guy. "It is great to see this happen for our business. I think he is going to keep the style." "It all really blew up in a matter of hours so from TV shows to podcasts - the sky's the limit." Jack first shot to fame this week when a video of him grooving on the party island gained millions of views. With a shiny helmet of hair, a chunky gold chain, huge rave shades and bright white teeth - his look immediately caught attention. His lid has been compared to a range of pop-culture icons from Ringo Starr to Friar Tuck and a Lego man. A flood of memes followed - and the "Ibiza Final Boss" born. After becoming one of the most famous faces in Ibiza, Jack dramatically revealed his true identity in a video for The Ibiza Times. Sporting a thick Geordie accent, he declared: "I am the Ibiza final boss. Jack Kay. Get to know." Ibiza Final Boss in talks for huge ITV reality show THE Ibiza Final Boss has been in talks to join Big Brother after being inundated with TV offers. After taking the internet by storm, raver Jack Kay has taken on a top manager to handle the deluge of showbiz interest. His viral fame caught the eye of ITV2's Big Brother casting team and led to conversations about him joining the upcoming series. A source said: 'The Ibiza Final Boss has really captured the nation's imagination and is exactly the kind of character that makes for a fun Big Brother housemate. "Bosses had talks with his management, it is very late in the casting process for housemates but everyone thought worth a chat whether it be in time for this series, even as part of a task, or for the future. 'Jack's reps Neon Management have been inundated with offers for him so he's certainly going to be busy for at least the next few months. 'They've seen an unprecedented level of interest in him, and that's the nation loves him.' It comes after the lad revealed he was going on a nightclub tour to cash in on his fame.
Wales Online
15 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Alien: Earth cast spill on 'sweetest vegan' cast as horror series' new Xenomorph
Alien: Earth cast lift lid on 'sweetest vegan in the world' cast as sci-fi horror's new Xenomorph The cast of the new Alien TV series, Alien: Earth, have admitted that they couldn't help but giggle at the man inside the iconic Xenomorph suit on set The cast of Alien: Earth have disclosed that the performer behind the legendary Xenomorph costume was far from menacing when the cameras stopped rolling. Crafted by acclaimed Fargo creator Noah Hawley, this fresh FX series launches this week on Disney+ across the UK, functioning as a prequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 science fiction horror masterpiece. The show's diverse ensemble features both emerging talent and established performers, including Timothy Olyphant, Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther and Babou Ceesay. Naturally, no instalment in the Alien saga would be complete without the spine-chilling extraterrestrial creatures, and Hawley has stressed a commitment to authentic practical effects to deliver the terror. During a preview at Alien: Earth's London premiere, the cast disclosed that performer Cameron Brown was predominantly housed within the classic dark costume that has been petrifying audiences for more than four decades, reports the Mirror. The terrifying sci-fi horror franchise returns this week (Image: FX) "It was Cameron Brown, who's a vegan," Ceesay revealed. "Dressed in an eight-foot suit. "Snarling in your face, K-Y jelly dripping out of his mouth. Yeah, scary." Nevertheless, Ceesay and his fellow cast members couldn't suppress their laughter whilst fondly recalling their experiences with Brown during filming. Lawther remarked: "It's really easy to run away scared from a Xenomorph when it's really a man who's a Xenomorph chasing you." The performers also disclosed that their alien-costumed colleague would regularly pause for snacks of carrot sticks and hummus, creating a sharp contrast to his carnivorous on-screen character. During a panel discussion at Comic-Con's Hall H, lead actress Chandler previously confessed she was "giddy" to be pursued by a Xenomorph, describing Brown as "the sweetest person in the world", according to GoldDerby. Lawther concurred at the time: "There's something hysterical about the fearsomeness of the Xenomorph, but then he takes off his head, and he's from New Zealand, and he doesn't eat meat. "If you think me and Sydney are soft-spoken, just wait till you meet the Xenomorph." Actor Cameron Brown was inside the Xenomorph for the new FX series (Image: FX) Watch Alien: Earth on Disney+ with two months free This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more From £89.90 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Sign up to Disney+'s annual Standard or Premium plan and get the equivalent of two months free. Avoid surprise price hikes by locking in your subscription costs for a year and stream hundreds of beloved films and hit shows, such as Alien: Earth from 13th August. Devoted enthusiasts of the original film by director Ridley Scott, along with its later sequels, will be delighted to learn that Hawley utilised practical effects and sets wherever possible. Expanding on the benefits of practical techniques over CGI, he said: "I think it's meaningful, both to the cast and, I think audiences know when something's real or not real. "We've gotten very good at tricking them, but, usually, what you need is some realistic element in the shot. "The thing with horror is your imagination does most of the work for you, so you don't want to see the monster for too long. You want to see the shadows, you want to see the open door. "The shot is half a second and you've got a tail on a fishing line and that's probably gonna work, you know what I mean?" Critics are claiming the Alien franchise is stronger than ever with the fresh TV prequel, but will it convince fans who believe the Xenomorphs should have remained in space? Find out soon. Alien: Earth premieres Wednesday, 13th August on Disney+. For a limited time only, witness the first stage of the life cycle of the Xenomorph up close with a thrilling new display at London's Natural History Museum. Article continues below Visitors can touch real pieces of the solar system at the Museum's blockbuster exhibition, Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?, and discover more about one of pop culture's most iconic and frightening creatures just by the entrance until Friday, 22nd August.
Graziadaily
32 minutes ago
- Graziadaily
Are You Brave Enough To Wear Kylie's 5 Inch Platform Flip-Flops IRL?
'Tis the season of the quirky fashion shoe. Proof? In the last few weeks alone, Vibram's Five Finger shoehit the Lyst Index at number five, toe-ring sandals have been selling out at Zara, and Camper's Kobarah shoes have hijacked the Instagram algorithm. Now, Kylie Jenner has taken the ordinary flip-flop to new heights (literally). Enter: the ERL platform flip-flop. No, it's not just you…flip-flops are everywhere. Dating back to Ancient Egypt, 4000 BC, the no-fuss slip-on shoe is just as relevant now as it was 6,025 years ago. The double straps are synonymous with summer, a humble companion for beach days. It's no wonder more A-listers have been leaning on the simple silhouette to elevate their outfits - Hailey Bieber, especially. She's swapped the flat version for a heeled one, styling it with her trusty Capris, papped pushing Jack Blues in a pram - proof of their comfort. Kylie Jenner herself has a long-standing love affair with flip-flops. A few notable gems in her collection include: the viral red rubber-soled sandals from The Row (which also just topped Q2's Lyst Index at number one), the Gimaguas x Havaianas studded flip-flops, and Balenciaga's Bal Shoes - also known as the 'pedicure sandal.' So, if not her, then who? Taking to her Instagram Stories, the business mogul snapped herself in the 5-inch shoes and captioned the photo: 'The energy I'm bringing to my shoot today,' pairing the skyscrapers with a very simplesports bra and tracksuit bottoms. Which, in fact, might be the best way to wear the shoe - minimal movement and photos only. Because, practicality-wise, you can imagine it's hard to manoeuvre with those blocks strapped to the bottom of your feet. These shoes can't help but remind us Lizze Mcguire with a sprinkle of Bratz energy. If you dare to try, the 3D flip-flop retails for $375 and is available for pre-order in grey and black. We actually spotted the wacky shoes on Cia Nia Wrigh (@ a few days before we saw Jenner wearing them. We can certainly see this shoe turning into a social moment - red carpets, magazine pages, fashion week, and anywhere else that calls for attention. With that being said: do you dare to try ERL's 5-Inch Flip-Flop in IRL? 1. ERL Platform Sandals Standing tall at 5 inches, are you brave enough to rock these flip-flops? Renee Washington , Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.. Main image credit: @kyliejenner
