Friday 6 March is Global Day of Unplugging. Go on – take a break from digital devices for 24 hours and reconnect with the world around you.
Despite the rise of ‘digital detox’ culture and growing conversations around switching off, nearly two-thirds of us have never taken a break from the internet. What’s more, over a third (34%) say they wouldn’t want to.
In fact, only 37% of Brits say they’ve ever taken a digital detox. Just 16% do so regularly, showing that switching off is still the exception rather than the norm. Fear of being offline explains why a true detox is out of reach for many. Almost half say they would struggle to go without internet access beyond 12 hours. And only 12% of 18 to 24-year-olds think they could cope for a full week. What does this mean? A reliance that’s reshaping expectations around connectivity.
Gen Z most online, but also most self-aware
Younger generations are both more digitally immersed and more honest about it. Around three in five Gen Z (59%) and Millennials (63%) say they spend more time online than offline. That’s compared to just a third (33%) of Baby Boomers. Gen Z are also the most likely to admit they waste a lot of time online. Thirty two per cent spend excessive time scrolling social media, versus 16% of Baby Boomers. At the same time, 55% of Gen Z say they have taken a digital detox, compared to just 20% of Baby Boomers. This suggests younger people may be more conscious of their online habits – even if full disconnection remains difficult.
Always connected, but not universally overwhelmed
Despite concerns around constant connectivity, the relationship with the internet is not viewed as wholly negative. Just over one in five Brits (22%) say they never feel overwhelmed by being constantly connected or online, while others describe a more balanced or pragmatic relationship. When asked which statements best describe their internet use today, respondents confirmed it has made daily life admin easier (31%), that they couldn’t live without it (30%), or that they have a healthy balance with use (30%). These stats reflect a nation that relies on being online, even if it occasionally feels conflicted about how connected it has become.
Stephen Warburton from Zen Internet, which commissioned the survey, said: “There’s a lot of talk about digital detoxing, and taking time to switch off can be important for wellbeing. But for most people the internet now plays a central role in everyday life. The findings show that while many recognise the need for balance, switching off entirely isn’t always practical in a world that’s increasingly built around being online. As reliance deepens, expectations around reliability and resilience are rising too.”
What are the benefits of a digital detox?
Here’s our round-up of what you could expect if you put those devices down:
It could improve your mental health and wellbeing
Studies have shown a one week social media detox intervention significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety by 16.1%. In another study, 41% reported significant mood improvements, with decreased feelings of FOMO and increased life satisfaction.
It could have physical benefits
Research revealed prolonged screen time is linked to weight gain and the development of obesity in children. However, recent changes have seen young people want to be more physically active – only 26% sampled said they’d want to be on a screen over taking part in physical activity.
It can help you sleep
Exposure to blue light from screens disrupts sleep cycles .How? It’s been proven to suppress the body’s release of melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel drowsy. While this promotes wakefulness during the day, it becomes unhelpful at night when we are trying to sleep.
It can affect how you think
Studies have shown that interruptions from phones can lower productivity by up to 40%, with increased error rates, and an altered brain function when we’re forced into constant task switching. It can even reverse 10 years of brain ageing if leaving devices alone for as little as two weeks.
What are the best ways to have a digital detox?
Start slow – a mini detox such as not grabbing your phone the moment you wake up, or the same when you go to bed. Try reading a book instead – they’re quite good, you know!
Tell friends and family – they may expect you to reply to a WhatsApp or text quickly. Remind them you’re taking a break and will get in touch at certain times of the day instead.
Keep your phone out of the bedroom – we managed fine with a simple alarm clock once! Don’t put it on the dining room table, either, as our recent feature reveals why.
Switch off after work – even when emails are waiting to be read and actioned. Disable notifications – they’ll still be waiting for you the next working day.
