Latest news with #digitaldetox
WIRED
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- WIRED
Life Without Screens: This Camp Is a Teen's Worst Nightmare
Jul 21, 2025 6:00 AM Hidden burner phones. Hunger strikes. Runaways. The director of a digital detox program for kids spills about how hard it is to tear kids away from their devices. PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION: JOHANNA GOODMAN; GETTY IMAGES Summer. For teens not at work, it's hot, it's boring, and it's an ideal time to close the door and spend about every waking moment watching, playing, texting, streaming—anything but talking—on the phone. With almost half of teenagers in the US saying they're online almost constantly, the adults in their lives are growing more desperate to drag them off. Families are establishing screen-free zones in their homes, states are banning phones in schools, and a new kind of summer camp has emerged: digital detox camps, which can cost around $2,000 a week, and promise to wean attendees off screens by going cold turkey for the summer. WIRED spoke to the founder and director of one such organization. Taking a cue from your average summer camp, the program forces kids to swap their phones and gaming systems for some good old-fashioned social interaction. But in other ways, it's anything but traditional: It's staffed with onsite therapists equipped to handle screen addiction, the kids take financial literacy courses, and nearly all campers are completely miserable when they arrive. Most of the kids who come to our program are very socially stunted. They don't communicate very well. Everything is in abbreviations. They don't make eye contact. They can't finish a full sentence. Everything is mumbled. They don't want to have an in-person dialog. They would rather do it online or do it through text. Our camp is about 70 percent boys, 30 percent girls, from ages 13 to 17. Most of the boys are gamers. Most of the girls are addicted to social media—influencer wannabes. None of them want to be there. One kid ran away, and he actually made it down to the freeway, which was very unusual because we're not close to the freeway. He was picked up by the local highway patrol and brought back. He then went on a hunger strike for three days, and we actually ended up sending him to the hospital because he needed to eat. And then his mom did come and pick him up. When the kids arrive, we have them unpack to make sure they brought everything they were supposed to bring and that they didn't bring things they weren't supposed to bring. Like phones. One kid showed up with three cell phones: When he arrived, he turned in one. We found another cell phone in his bag. And then about three days later his roommate outed him, and we found the third phone. He thought it was funny that he got away with it for that long. That's most of our kids—if they can stick it to the man, then they're winning. Most of the kids are not aggressive, they're not acting out. More often, they're moping. But once they come out of their dorm room, we lock the doors. I say, 'Sitting in your dorm room moping is not a camp activity.' Their sleeping and eating habits are horrible. Most kids, especially the online gamers, are up until 2 or 3 in the morning. They don't get up until noon or later. It's a disaster. And their eating habits, they're equally horrible—Doritos and Gatorade, just horrible snack food. So we have them on a very specific schedule. They're in their dorm rooms by 9:30 and have their lights out by 10. And then we wake them up at 6:30. I always tell my staff, 'Plan on not sleeping much the first week.' They have one or two roommates in their dorm rooms. Typically, they are not happy about that. Most kids who come to our program have their own room at home. But what's funny is that it creates this us-against-them mentality, because they don't want to be there, and their roommate doesn't want to be there. They hate us, they hate their parents for sending them there, so they kind of bond without meaning to right off the bat. We do all the traditional summer camp activities. We take them to the beach once a week. It's not that much torture. During one of the first years, we had a kid who walked away from the beach day. And he didn't walk far, but he approached a couple who were taking a selfie and asked if he could use their phone. He ended up calling his mom, saying, 'Get me out of here.' His mom did not come and pick him up: The next year, she sent his little brother to camp too. We had more staff members come to beach day after that. We also do educational programs and a financial literacy class. We have to break it to these kids that tech companies don't care about their fun and enjoyment; they're after their time and their money. We've had several kids who have been given credit cards that they then charge up, buying in-app activities or 'skins' in games like Fortnite . And then when they can't spend any more on that card, they'll use their friend's card, their mom's card. We had one kid use their friend's grandmother's card. But we never tell a kid, 'Never play a video game again, never be online again, never check your email again.' That's just not the reality of the world we live in. When we started this program, we didn't really expect to have returning campers. We figured we'd get you cured, and then next summer you go to surf camp or sail camp or horseback camp or something. But every year we have one or two kids who want to come back—not because they've gone back to the dark side of tech addiction; it's because they want to help the next batch of campers. They want to say to a mopey new camper, 'I was you last year. I was exactly where you are, and I turned out OK.' —As told to Elana Klein
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Does a school smartphone ban make a difference?
Smart phones are part of modern life but the amount they are used can be a battleground, with parents and schools often on one side and young people on the other. So what would the effects be if children gave up their phones – even if just for a short time?Meghan was interested in ditching her device, but said her friends thought the idea of being without a smartphone – and the myriad apps within – was "ridiculous".The 15-year-old is one of 32 pupils who took part in a project at school to swap their high-tech handheld items for 'brick' phones, which can deal with calls but not be on the the doubts expressed by Meghan's peer group, she decided to hand over her phone as part of the three-week project at Ecclesfield Secondary School in South Yorkshire."I wanted to do it because I feel like the older I get the more I realised what you see on your phone can be harmful, so coming away from it could be nice," she well as pupils, four staff gave up their smart devices as part of the scheme, which was a collaboration between the school, Sheffield Hallam University, Mitie and Career Meghan manage to survive without her internet and social media-connected phone for the project?She said it had been "easier" than she initially feared. The time away from scrolling meant there had been more opportunities to do other things, Meghan said."I got more homework done but talking to my family more was my favourite thing," she said."Before if I was upset I'd go to my room and scroll on TikTok, but now I didn't have my phone so I chatted much more to my mum."The idea for the project came from Liz Hunter, who teaches Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education at Ecclesfield."You don't have to work in education to see the growing impact that modern mobile phones increasingly have on our children," she Hunter said those who took part in the project had reported "so many positives, things like less anxiety, better friendships, better sleep, and more time to engage in other activities".Earlier this year, a Parliamentary bill that had suggested banning smartphones in schools and addictive algorithms aimed at young teenagers was watered down to gain government teacher Richard Walkden, who has been in charge for eight years as smartphone use has become a greater talking point across the UK, said he was proud of the students and staff who took part."My role is to protect childhood," he said."We banned mobile phones from school many years ago. They terrify me. They make kids grow up quicker." A 14-minute film entitled Why Don't You?, made by firm Revealing Reality, which tracked the pupils' progress was premiered on 14 July in the main hall of the pupils the BBC spoke to also said they had found the phone break 12, said the project had given him more time to help his dad working with wood."It was quite nice," he said. "I couldn't do the dangerous stuff but my dad helped me get involved and work with the resin."After receiving his phone back, he said he did not feel he had "missed out"."I just had a bunch of messages from my form groupchat full of stickers," he 13, took up fishing during the project using his grandad's kit."I went out almost every day," he the teenager did confess to "missing" his phone when he caught a fish and wanted to "celebrate" with a picture. Olivia said she had found the experience "quite freeing".The 15-year-old said: "I found it quite nice to not have the burden of replying to every message."But did the short project create long-term change?Olivia was in two admitted that although she now used her smartphone less, she had felt herself "slipping into old habits".Ofcom, the online safety regulator, reported in February 2024 that 99% of children spend time online and nine in 10 children own a mobile phone by the time they reach the age of 11. They also found three in five secondary school-aged children had been contacted online in a way that potentially made them feel Hunter said the school were now looking at how they could spread the message to encourage their children to live "less of their lives online."She said: "We're looking at our school policies for mobiles. We're wanting to do more work with parents, and we're also looking to work with our local primary schools to try and capture the children at a younger age and get them thinking about their phone use." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Can digital detox be the new norm with Gen-Z?
The digital detox is coming, and I know it both anecdotally and personally. Personally, it sucks. Social media, staring at a screen for most of my work and entertainment, or dealing with some AI nonsense. Whatever it may be, the time is coming where the wide use of cell phones and digital networks overall will decline. Maybe it's that large language models and so-called AI are already messing with peoples' heads by delivering them delusions of grandeur and false information that perpetuates all sorts of stereotypes, prejudices, racism and inhumane thinking, but I struggle to believe this globalised society, less than 200 years after the industrial revolution, has at all contended with what all this tech is doing to humanity. From our collective well-being to our individual health, it seems as if though we never moved on from the economic boom-seeking culture of the 1980s, we did our utmost to hold up the enthusiasm for ever-more complex gadgets and systems. On the surface, and in many early cases, these advancements were good; cell phones and personal computers freed us of work, the internet showed us we could build a truly global society, and advancements in AI offered a glimpse at a post-work, post-scarcity society. Unfettered by race, religion, culture and even our own bodies, what was to stop us? The Gutenberg press was a similar revolution; a wine press, some stamps, some ink and paper – and Europe and Christianity were changed forever. Are we as flawed for believing our species and society could remain the same after so many advancements in such a short period of time, or is it new, 21st century hubris for believing we were better than our ancestors? We fight the same wars, commit the same genocides, and rob the same people of liberty and opportunity when it's someone else's turn at the top of the geopolitical wheel? I don't know the solution, just that it needs to start with pulling back. Healthy use of all technology is not at all on peoples' radars, and I accept that, I'm no Luddite. But as a species we have to contend with living in a world where billionaires can ride rockets like space cowboys, while children are starved to death in Gaza. When I think about it, I shut off. Outside of work, I'm cursing myself if I go on social media, I'm annoyed if I open a streaming service, and I'm uncomfortable when I have to write another form email to ask the same query of a person weathering 1,001 questions from people just like me. Now, I don't subscribe to the theories which proclaim anxiety, depression and suicide are on the rise only because of social media – I'm convinced this is a case of correlation not equalling causation and gathering data on mental health is just easier as the stigma declines – but we do know for certain that how false information spreads and can be manipulated or suppressed by those in the control seat. I am still looking, but we all must find a way to split the difference between those community 'it takes a village'-type ties, and broader solidarity around the world that travels by respecting other cultures while not giving ground where it matters most.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- The Guardian
Sage iPhone for children review: ‘Would it make me want to divorce my parents?'
I was intrigued to find out how this would work but a bit freaked out too. I use my iPhone non-stop: four hours each day during school terms; eight during holidays. Snapchat matters most, but I'm often following friends on TikTok and Instagram. The prospect of not having access to any apps or the internet was just 'ugh'. Part of me wanted to scream at the thought of being cut off by this Sage phone. Would it make me want to divorce my parents? I knew I was going to miss out. The Sage phone came loaded only with Google Maps, Spotify, Monzo, Uber, a calendar and the TfL Go transport app. None of that gave me much to do. There was messaging, but no one really uses messages and I can't remember the last time I made a phone call to a friend. Let's start with the positives. Because the phone was so boring, I didn't want to use it, [I] put it down and chatted more with my family. I spent less time in my room and was more productive – I even wrote this piece! The people at Sage said it could take a month to get used to the limitations, but I don't have that long to test it. I can already tell you that if you are a teenager you are going to feel disconnected from all of your friends and the rest of the world and that feels unfair. Having TikTok and Instagram is the way the world is wired now. If you take them away then it's quite hard to stay in the loop. If I stayed with this phone I would also end up feeling left out when speaking in real life to my friends as this is where so many of our sayings and jokes come from. Social media is the way we know what everyone is up to and without it I felt I would be left out of the goings-on. We know social media is distracting, but it's important to our social world now. During GCSEs some of my friends deleted apps, but they all ended up redownloading them within two days. I'm not as worried about the harms as many adults are. I made some of my closest friends through playing Roblox during the Covid lockdown and that's not allowed on this phone. I wasn't addicted to it. It was just fun. I have lots of friends from other schools who I might not text or talk to for weeks at a time, but through Snap I can stay in contact with them, see what they are up to and exchange things like videos that keep our relationships going in a way that wouldn't happen with just phones. It has become a social glue and without it our networks might fall apart. It's true that there are people who are negatively affected by exposure to TikTok accounts promoting a particular image of beauty. So this limited phone could prevent that and reduce the risk of people struggling with body image. And if your parents insist on you having a 'dumb' phone, I think this could be an effective way to eliminate the shame of having a 'brick' phone. If you were out with your friends and people were checking their phones it would be really weird to pull out a Nokia or not get a phone out. Overall, I understand the intentions and the appeal to parents, but unless everyone switched to Sage, I would miss out on too much.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
How A One-Week Digital Detox Restores Work-Life Balance
A digital detox can help busy professionals reset boundaries and achieve better work-life balance. Corporate professionals often feel the pressure to be 'always on' and to respond instantly, both during and outside of work hours. According to Calm's 2024 Voice of the Workplace Report, 58% of employees say they're always connected or available for work. It's no wonder that nearly one-third also report feeling tired from constant screen time. While fully stepping away from devices isn't realistic for most professionals, a brief digital detox can help restore energy, focus and work-life balance—without the need to go fully offline. Here's how to make a one-week digital detox work for you, even if you can't unplug completely. 1. Ban Your Phone From The Bedroom The first step toward work-life balance involves creating physical boundaries between yourself and your devices. Transform your bedroom into a sanctuary free from work emails, social media notifications and the sleep-disrupting blue light that screens emit. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that evening exposure to light-emitting devices negatively affects sleep quality, circadian timing and next-morning alertness. By designating your bedroom a device-free zone, you create a space where your mind can truly disconnect and recharge. Helpful Tip: Consider investing in a traditional alarm clock and setting up a charging station outside your bedroom. This eliminates the temptation to check your phone immediately upon waking or right before sleep—two critical periods for mental restoration. 2. Kill All Non-Essential Notifications The average knowledge worker checks their email multiple times a day, creating a constant state of cognitive fragmentation that prevents deep, meaningful work. During your digital detox week, take control of your attention by turning off all non-essential notifications across your devices. This includes social media alerts, news updates, promotional emails and even work-related notifications that aren't urgent. The goal is to shift from a reactive mode, where your attention is constantly hijacked by external stimuli, to a proactive mode, where you consciously choose when to engage with digital information. Helpful Tip: Customize your notification settings to receive only urgent communications during focus periods. Most smartphones allow you to filter notifications by contact or app, helping you stay accessible for emergencies while eliminating digital distractions. 3. Check Email Only Three Times Per Day Rather than being always on, establish specific times for checking emails, social media and news updates. This approach, known as "batching," enables you to check email more efficiently by minimizing task switching. Consider checking email only three times per day and limiting social media consumption to a single 20-minute window. This structured approach helps break the compulsive habit of reaching for your phone whenever you feel bored, anxious or understimulated. Helpful Tip: Use a timer to enforce your digital consumption boundaries. When the timer goes off, immediately close the app or browser tab. This practice helps retrain your brain to engage with technology purposefully rather than compulsively. 4. Swap Scrolling For Real-World Activities The most challenging aspect of a digital detox is filling the time and mental space that constant connectivity previously occupied. Successful detoxers replace their digital habits with engaging real-world activities that provide similar psychological rewards without the adverse side effects. This might include reading physical books instead of scrolling through articles on your phone, taking walks in nature instead of browsing social media during breaks or engaging in creative hobbies like drawing, cooking or playing a musical instrument. These activities not only fill the void left by reduced screen time but also provide opportunities for profound, restorative experiences. Helpful Tip: Before reaching for your device, pause and identify whether you're seeking entertainment, connection, information or stress relief. Then, find an offline alternative that meets that same need, such as deep breathing exercises or a brief walk when feeling stressed. 5. Switch Your Phone To Grayscale Mode One of the most effective yet underutilized digital detox techniques involves removing the vibrant colors that make your smartphone so visually appealing. Most smartphones now allow you to switch your entire display to grayscale, which significantly reduces the dopamine hit you get from colorful apps and notifications. This simple change makes your device less pleasurable to use, naturally reducing the time you spend scrolling without requiring constant willpower. Helpful Tip: Enable grayscale mode in your phone's accessibility settings at the beginning of your detox week. Set it to activate automatically during certain hours or toggle it on and off as needed. Most users report checking their phones 20% to 30% less frequently when switching to grayscale mode, according to a study published in Mobile Media and Communication. 6. Stop Work From Invading Your Personal Life Remote work has blurred the lines between professional and personal time, making it crucial to establish boundaries around work-related digital communication. During your digital detox week, set specific hours when you'll be unavailable for non-urgent work communications. This might mean turning off Slack notifications after 6 PM, not checking work emails over the weekend or setting an auto-responder that manages expectations about response times. These boundaries protect your personal time while teaching co-workers to respect your work-life balance. Helpful Tip: Create separate user profiles or use different devices for work and personal activities when possible. If you must use the same device, establish visual cues, such as different wallpapers or app arrangements, to help your brain distinguish between work and personal time. 7. Curate Your Digital Comeback The end of your digital detox week shouldn't mark a return to old habits but rather the beginning of a more intentional relationship with technology. Before reintroducing apps and digital services, evaluate which ones add value. Delete or hide apps that are time-wasters or sources of stress. For the digital tools you choose to keep, establish clear usage guidelines and regular check-ins to ensure they continue serving your goals. Consider implementing ongoing practices like "digital sabbaths"—regular periods of disconnection—or maintaining some of the technology-free zones you established during your detox. Helpful Tip: Reintroduce digital tools gradually, one app or habit at a time. Monitor how each affects your mood, productivity at work and overall well-being. If something consistently makes you feel worse, consider whether it truly deserves a place in your life. By setting firm boundaries, practicing digital detox strategies and replacing mindless scrolling with meaningful activities, you can break the cycle of digital overload. Focus on progress, not perfection. A more intentional approach to technology supports your productivity and work-life balance. Even small changes in digital habits can lead to greater energy, focus and a healthier relationship with work.
