Forgetting a smartphone somewhere often leaves avid phone users feeling like a limb has been cut off—so BuzzFeed challenged a group of six young Millennials to voluntarily go a week without a phone.
After the young tech-savvy participants locked away their devices in BuzzFeed's "phone jail," many of them found themselves reaching for phantom phones out of pure habit. Early on, one participant panicked: "I have a doctor's appointment later this week and I think I'm going to have to print out a map." Despite concerns like this, at the end of the week-long experiment, the participants found that they had a newfound appreciation for life by unplugging from the constant bombardment of incoming texts, calls, messages and photos.
Phone-Relinquishing Challenges
BuzzFeed Challenges Six Millennials to Go Week Without a Phone
Trend Themes
1. Digital Detox - The trend of voluntarily disconnecting from digital devices for a period of time to foster a healthier relationship with technology.
2. Mindfulness - The trend of being present and fully engaged in the current moment, without distractions from digital devices.
3. Technological Dependency - The trend of becoming overly reliant on digital devices, leading to feelings of anxiety and discomfort when not using them.
Industry Implications
1. Wellness and Self-care - The industry that focuses on promoting physical and mental well-being, including services and products related to digital detox and mindfulness practices.
2. Technology Addiction Treatment - The industry that provides solutions and support for individuals struggling with excessive use of digital devices and technology addiction.
3. Offline Experiences - The industry that caters to individuals seeking offline activities, events, and experiences to disconnect from digital devices and reconnect with the real world.