REUTERS/Carlos Barria
(New York, NY) — Gen Z has never known a world with out cellphones, laptops or 24/7 connectivity. The generation born between 1997 and 2012 have only known texting, calls and the constant hum of alerts. So it may not come as a total shock to hear members of Gen Z are moving towards a digital detox.
A recent study found Generation Z spent around 6.5 hours a day on their phones. Another study found that 41% of them want to figure out a way to cut back, worried for their mental health and about brain rot.
In studies from the University of Alberta, Harvard and Georgetown, a one-week social media detox has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression by 24.% and anxiety by 16.%. A two-week detox can improve attention spans that have been shortened in the digital age. Those who took part in digital detox studies say they slept better at night, with insomnia problems dropping by nearly 15%.
There is a growing trend towards creating more phone free spaces. Hush Harbor, a restaurant in Washington, D.C. has guests seal their phones in locked bags. The owners say they want to see diners engage in conversation and make eye contact with one another. A group called “The Offline Club” has see it’s membership grow and attendance at it’s events soar. The idea behind their meet-ups is that they are always phone free. Members use the time away from their devices to meet others who have similar interests, or hobbies they want to investigate.
