July 25, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source written by researcher(s) proofread by Alex Beattie and John Kerr, The Conversation In an age when connectivity is constant, many New Zealanders find it hard to unplug from the internet. Despite a desire to switch off, the reality of disconnecting is challenging.
Soon it might even come at a cost. These were key findings from the first ever internet unplugging study in Aotearoa New Zealand. Around the world, and in New Zealand, there is increasing interest in disconnecting.
School phone bans, calls for a right to disconnect from work, and the proliferation of screen-time apps all speak to a collective concern about how constantly connected we are. Spending time offline and using strategies to help manage screen time are being recognized as critical skills. Learning them may benefit well-being and productivity, and help to set boundaries around social media use .
We set out to find out whether New Zealanders do disconnect from the internet, and how. We surveyed over 1,000 people and asked them how often they intentionally disconnect, as well as their motivations and challenges in disconnecting. We found most New Zealanders disconnect infrequently or not at all: 86% of participants reported they never (22%), rarely (32%) or sometimes (32%) disconnect.
We also f.