Put Down Your Phone




Phones have changed our lives. They help us keep in touch with friends and family. They give us our news, help us check the weather and give us directions. And we can watch cat videos. Whenever, and wherever we want.

It’s a great way to pass the time, right? But could that time be better spent?

According to Ofcom:

The average amount of time spent online on a smartphone is 2 hours 28 minutes a day. This rises to 3 hours 14 minutes among 18-24s.

Technology, and in particular, social media, get blamed for a lot. But used properly, social media can be an amazing way to meet and connect with people who share your passions and interests.

We worry though, that a lot of time spent on our devices might be stopping us from connecting with the people around us.

When faced with ‘nothing to do’, how many of us resort to scrolling through our phones?

Well, we want to change that.

The next time you’re waiting for a bus to arrive or in a coffee shop, put your phone down; take a look around you. What do you see? Smell? Hear?

You might see someone else who’s sat alone.

Someone like you, or someone completely different. They might want to chat, or they might not.

One minute that could make a difference

Think back to that stat at the start of this blog: We spend an average of 138 minutes a day on our phones.

 
What if we used just one minute of our day to connect with other people?

91% of people think that small moments of connection, those small everyday moments where we connect with another person, can make a difference to someone who’s lonely. And the research backs this up. It might seem like a small thing, but for someone who feels lonely, a smile, a hello or quick chat could help enormously.

It’s not going to end loneliness, but it’s a small step.

We’re not asking people to stop using their their phones entirely, just be more mindful of how and when we use them. If someone has their phone out, it’s usually a good sign they don’t want to be interrupted. They could be busy, or just simply not feel like chatting. And that has to be respected.

But, that’s also why the act of putting your phone away is so powerful; it gives others the sign that you might be open to having a chat as well.

We want to help create a kinder, friendlier country. We want people to feel part of their communities and better connected with the people around them.

We think that spending less time on our phones is a great way to do that.

Ironically, you might be reading this on a phone right now.

So, put down your phone, and take in the world around you. #BeMoreUs.

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