Punkt. Digital Detox Challenge number three, Winter-Spring 2018

The big difference this time round was that the term 'smartphone addiction' had clearly entered common parlance - in 2016 it still sounded a bit over the top, but in 2018 people were starting to sound genuinely worried. You can read the reports below, but here are some excerpts from a few of the many applications we received:

“The constant scrolling.”

“I tried it with an old classic phone, it was like going back to an ex - with all the old pros and cons. Who does that?”

“We use our phones a lot - why shouldn't they be beautiful as well as functional?”

“I'm doing my own version now, but I had to settle for a broke ass burner phone that's 10 years old...”

“As a UI designer for digital products I've often questioned some of the success criteria used in my industry, specifically 'engagement' as a metric for success. Until that changes, unfortunately it's very difficult to fight against 100s of designers who are trying to hook you in to their products. [.] There is a certain irony about this as I design for these products but want to get away from them. But I think it's an opportunity for me as a designer to appreciate how valuable our attention is, and try to take that lesson back into my industry, hopefully to influence a change in approach to technology.”

“I have started getting rid of all my social media profiles and have immediately noticed the positive effect it's had on me. I am so much calmer now, and I'd like to keep it that way, by also eliminating my smartphone for good.”