All Right? called on Cantabrians to step away from their screens and take part in New Zealand’s first city-wide Digital Detox.
The Digital Detox was held between 10am and 2pm on Sunday, 2 October 2016. Over 4,000 people registered for the event online and it was evident that many more took part without registering.
Sue Turner, All Right? manager, says it’s a chance for Cantabrians to disconnect and reconnect.“While being online can be a great way to learn and connect, it can also be a challenge to get the balance right.”
According to research company Nielsen a massive 3.1 million New Zealanders spend 16 hours online every week, and 70% of us now own a mobile device.
“For most of us, unplugging completely is unrealistic. Sometimes there are simply calls to take, texts or emails to answer and moments we want to capture,” says Sue.
“The challenge is learning to embrace technology, while not letting it take over every minute. In short, how can we switch off and recharge?”
All Right? strategist Ciaran Fox says small breaks away from technology can have big benefits.
“Being away from our screen allows us to slow down and focus on the things that matter most. It can free us up to do the things that really matter, like enjoying the outdoors, spending time with the whanau, or giving something new a go.”
“Doing these things can lead to lower stress levels, improved relationships, and improved overall wellbeing,” says Ciaran.
On the day of the digital detox, All Right? hosted a walk through the Botanical Gardens, where people could check in their phones and enjoy some screen free time in one of the most beautiful places in Christchurch.
It’s safe to say at the outset of this campaign we were a little bit nervous about how people would respond to our screen-free challenge. What we learned was that Cantabrians embraced it. Here's what people told us…
