I'm sure I'm not the only technophile who also questions their dependency on technology. Actually, I'm fairly proactive when it comes to managing my internet/tech usage: I don't use social media, I don't have email on my phone, I don't have a plethora of devices all over my house bugging me all the time, I even did a phone free month recently - but I still know I spend too much online!
I've read a lot about the topic, most recently Sherry Turkle's 'Reclaiming Conversation' (a great read fyi), and I often come across various companies offering Tech Detoxes or 12 Step programs for internet/tech addiction. Several years back I noticed the yoga trend picking up steam and though 'is it worth getting involved (from a commercial perspective), or has this ship sailed?', since then it's become clear that the yoga market had plenty of legs and expanded so much that I could have really made something in the space. So, what I wonder, is does anyone else recognise the Tech Detox scene as a similar opportunity?
I guess the simple answer is that technology usage is only growing and therefore so is addiction, but I don't know if any of these companies are really making money or even how much they help. I know how quickly I got back into old/bad habits after my phone-free month. With that in mind I have an additional question which is: Have you undertaken a professional/paid tech detox type program? Did it help? What could people do better in this space to really help?
One little contribution:
Notice the focus of recent iOS and Android versions, on time spent on various apps. Same thing goes for facebook.
I think a large factor contributing to this is the new generation who is addicted to technology to the bones.
Yeah definitely, though it remains to be seen whether that will actually help change peoples behaviour, it might get them off facebook and that's about it. Apple and Google stand to benefit from users getting off of Facebook and Instagram, so you can't necessarily have faith in their motives :(