A digital detox podcast
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Presenter: So, we're back in the studio. Welcome back, everyone. My name's Rick Walker. From our laptops to our televisions, from the displays on our smartphones to those on our satnavs, we are in front of screens all the time. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to disconnect completely? To choose not to have access to the internet? If you have, you may be in need of a digital detox – a total switch-off from all things digital. The idea of people taking a digital detox is becoming more and more popular, especially amongst young people – and today we're joined by someone who's tried a number of digital detox activities and is here to give us some advice about it. Amanda Vince, welcome to the studio.
Amanda: Thank you very much.
Presenter: So, Amanda, you work for a fashion magazine in London, right? I guess your work means you need to be online a lot.
Amanda: Oh, yes. Apart from the hundreds of emails I get every day, I'm always browsing fashion websites, as well as online videos. I also need to be very active online, especially on Twitter and Instagram – sharing what we're doing in the magazine, interacting with designers, photographers, influencers … it never stops, literally. Then of course there's my friends and family to keep in touch with online too, and for me, my work grew out of my passion, so friends and work colleagues aren't two totally separate groups of people and it all gets a bit messy online sometimes. I think I'm online for at least 12 hours a day.
Presenter: So, how did you get the idea for a digital detox?
Amanda: I read a book about it, called Log Off: How to Stay Connected after Disconnecting. The author's name is Blake Snow. That book gave me some really good advice and made me think about trying to change some of my digital habits. I started with removing distraction.
Presenter: What do you mean by that?
Amanda: That means turning off alerts, buzzes, alarms or notifications of any kind. I had notifications set up for everything, and it meant I was always being forced to look at my phone. Removing all of them except for important contacts helped me focus immediately. The book also made a really good point, that we should ask ourselves 'Why?' every time we take out our phone. I realised that most of the times I looked at my phone were because I was trying to avoid or ignore something else happening right in front of me. It was an automatic habit.
Presenter: I have to confess, that happens to me too. But what else are you going to do when you're standing in line at the bank or waiting for your train?
Amanda: OK, yes, I'm the first to admit that it's great for helping time go by. But speaking personally, I found I wasn't just checking my phone to kill time when I was alone. I was also doing it with friends or family around.
Presenter: Hmmm … right. Well, so far, this doesn't sound too drastic. Turning off notifications and becoming aware of when we use our devices. That sounds easy.
Amanda: Yes, it's the first step. Once we begin to realise just how much of a grip our devices have on us, then we're ready to really take the next step. First, my partner and I did a weekend with absolutely no screens. She found it easier than I did. For me, it was a little bit scary at first but it turned out to be a pretty rewarding experience.
Presenter: A whole weekend, huh? I don't know if I could ...
Amanda: I think everyone has to do this at their own pace. If a weekend feels too much, maybe just try for an evening. Then work your way up to more. I guarantee, once you've tried it, you'll want to try it again. We're going to try for a whole week in the summer.
Presenter: OK, let's pause there then and see what our listeners have to say. You can call us here directly, or send us a message on any of our social media channels ... oops, should I be saying that? Anyway, more after the break.
I’m avoiding using social media for entertainment while preparing for the IELTS exam, except messaging with my family and friends. This also has an affect on my inspired clients and followers because I stopped posting fitness content on my channel. Most of my content intend to give them motivation and inspiration, so I’m sure they might be waiting to see my new posts. One of the specific result of doing digital detox is that I’ve noticed my English skills improving and I feel more peaceful without competing with others on social media.
I've considered to do a digital detox many times, but due to work, school and other personal commitments I need to stay connected all the time. I feel burned out constantly, and being stimulated by my phone, laptop, tv, or Ipad is just too much, the worse part is the great amount of adds I'm exposed to. I can't wait to take some vacations and to rest from my electronic devices at least for a couple of weeks.
Yes, I’ve been doing a digital detox. My method is simple:
1. I don’t allow my cellphone to interrupt my routine: I turned off all notifications.
2. I train my concentration: I avoid scrolling when something seems less interesting. For example, I watch a video until the end, even if it loses relevance.
3. I set a time limit to use my phone: 10:30 pm.
4. I deepen my relationship with content: I save good material for work and rewatch it later.
5. I don’t have gaming or shopping apps on my phone because they encourage addiction.
This is an important topic, I tried a digital detox a few moths ago when I needed to focus on planning and study reirments. I turned off notifications and only checked my phone at specific time. Although it was difficult at the beginning, this habit has helped me focus better, and I am very happy with the result.
Johanatan Valdez
A digital detox sounds like a cool idea. It could help me if I disconnect for a bit.
Sure, I am trying to reduce unnecessary notifications on my phone, as it annoys me when apps keep popping up on my screen and distracting me from my work.
I think, a digital detox is a really interesting idea. Before I have never thought about that but after I was listening this podcast, I understand, it is very important. I think I will try to do two days without devices in future, maybe in the next holiday.
As a mom of three kids, I should try digital detox in the very first place since I think I used my phone too much some times
I have to confess that I really spend my time on instagram even if when I watch tv. I can't focus on my work or a film on tv usually. I feel sometimes like getting more lazy and forgetful. I thhink a digital detox could be more heplfull to concentrate my daily basis and work much better. I will try to make a digital detox for a night and than maybe for a weekend. I will try to experiance it step by step so it could be more acceptable for me.