Digital Detox: Disconnect to Reconnect
This project seeks to explore and implement creative strategies to help young people disconnect from their phones and reconnect with the world around them.
In an era where screens dominate our daily lives, a new initiative is launching to help teens and young adults reclaim their time and well-being. The Digital Detox - Disconnect to Reconnect project, in collaboration with Marcel Schouwenaar and Puck Siemerink, is set to explore innovative strategies to encourage healthier digital habits.
The challenge
The annual youth survey* conducted by Mediahuis, Wayne Parker Kent and Mediatest shows that teens and young adults (between the ages of 15-35) are increasingly absorbed by their screens, spending an average of 5 hours a day on digital devices, with 4.3 hours dedicated to social media alone. This excessive screen time is impacting their mental well-being, with 30% feeling insecure or depressed due to social media use, and 28% contemplating quitting social media altogether. Moreover, 16% are developing problematic habits or addiction.
*See link below for the annual youth survey (only available in Dutch).
The city of Amsterdam focuses on the impact of the online world on the lives of young people, in areas such as safety and mental health. For example, research shows that social media can harm youth mental health in a number of ways, such as distorting body image, damaging self-esteem and inviting addiction. Through various activities, Amsterdam aims to counter negative online phenomena and thereby also reduce the negative impact on young people.”
— Charissa Sloote, Program Manager Online Environment Youth, Gemeente Amsterdam
The brief
This project aims to creatively investigate how to help young people disconnect from their phones and reconnect with their surroundings. This involves:
- Investigation: Analyzing insights from various fields and sources.
- Reconnection: Exploring ways to reconnect with oneself and the public space after disconnecting from social media.
- Strategy: Developing methods for disconnection that can be adapted to different contexts.
- Public Space: Designing interventions for urban areas under city control.
The objective of this initiative is to present powerful, insightful concepts as compelling stories. The team aims to gather research insights and design thought-provoking concepts that serve as powerful representations of potential digital detox strategies.
With the 'Online Environment Youth' program, we are committed to making the Internet a pleasant and safe place for young people. This is why we developed Connect, the design lab of the city of Amsterdam, where we work together with young Amsterdammers aged 9 to 23 on the challenges of the online living world”
— Leonore Snoek, Creative designer, City of Amsterdam
Ideas for digital detox
During the Kick-Off of this project, the team brainstormed about ideas for Digital Detox. For example:
- Designing a Ritual: Creating a liberating ritual to help individuals take a break from their phones.
- Raising Awareness: Increasing awareness among parents about how their own digital habits affect their children.
- Physical vs. Mental Presence: Addressing the issue of being physically present but mentally absent in urban spaces.
- Stranger Conversations: Encouraging meaningful interactions with strangers.
- Phone-Free Scavenger Hunt: Organizing phone-free scavenger hunts to promote offline engagement.
In the upcoming months, the results will be delivered.
Online Youth Environment Program
The Online Youth Environment Program by the City of Amsterdam aims to enhance the well-being of young people in the digital world. While most young people experience the benefits of being online, the digital environment also presents risks that impact their safety, health, and performance.
The program focuses on three main goals:
- Providing support to young people, parents, and professionals to help mitigate the negative effects of online behavior.
- Aligning activities and policies with young people's digital world, including initiatives like the Connect design lab.
- Increasing digital resilience and literacy, empowering young people to navigate digital challenges with greater awareness, creativity, and resilience.
Through this program, the city is working toward a safer and healthier digital future for Amsterdam's youth.
Marcel Schouwenaar
Independent designer, researcher, and inventor
Puck Siemerink
Designer and Researcher
Charissa Sloote
Program Manager Online Environment Youth at the City of Amsterdam
Leonore Snoek
Creative designer at City of Amsterdam
Rachel Sender
Illustrator, community builder, educator at Willem de Kooning Academy
Thijs Turèl
Initiator Responsible Sensing Lab and Program Manager at AMS Institute
City of Amsterdam
AMS Institute
Background Information from Trimbos
Maintaining a good digital balance involves a healthy mix of sleep, physical activity, and screen time, while also focusing on mental health and social well-being.
To illustrate, Trimbos indicates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, screen time increased significantly, with young adults spending 6 to 7 hours a day on screens during weekdays.
While screens can aid mental and social health by facilitating connections and relaxation, excessive use can lead to physical issues such as poor posture, disrupted sleep, and reduced physical activity.
