THEFebruary 22 is celebrated the day of disconnection (S-Connex Day), an initiative born in Italy that invites people to disconnect from the Internet to reduce digital overload, to re -establish relationships with daily reality and attract attention to the growing development of pathologies such as the nomophobiathe fear of being disconnected.
At the base of the Disconnected daywhich has been celebrated since 2018 and which was accompanied by the film Disconnected by Christian Marazziti, The desire to contact all those people dependent on the Internet and their smartphone, but also to those who – family members and doctors – want to help them.
The invitation is that a Turn off the cell phone for an hour a day, from 20.30 to 21.30. A non -random time that coincides with that of dinner, in which we should meet at the table, recovering a dialogue sometimes distracted by technology. If it is good therefore to turn off the cell phone to detoxify from the net, it is even more important to return to communicate even beyond the screen. The important thing is find a balance between the digital world and real liferecognizing the benefits of both without letting the connection become one dependence.
Nomophobia: What is fear of disconnection
How many hours, every day, do we spend on the mobile? Certainly more than we should. Whole days to share photos, moods and news with the risk of losing the contact that really matters, the one with reality. A situation common to many who It can lead to a real disease: nomophobia, That is to say the uncontrolled fear of remaining disconnected from the network. A rather recent pathology, but destined to involve more and more people, very young and more.
When we have to worry
So what are the signals to be careful to understand if you are at risk of pathology? According to theInstitute for the study of psychotherapies The clues to pay attention to are: if you use the phone to avoid states of anxietydiscomfort and lack, if, in the absence of the smartphone, you do not feel protected and able to control your inner and social life, if you never separate from the mobile phone and consider it the only way to have contact with others, risking to prefer it to real relationships, if you try a state of malaise if the cell phone has no field or does not work And if the excessive use of the device is justified by hiding behind its comfort and functionality.
The problem is not just the disconnection
But if the real problem today was not only the being always connected, but the way we are and the behaviors that derive from it in the use of ours devices? On the occasion of the disconnected day, to face this problem, Equinixa leading company in global digital infrastructure, has collaborated with Sarah Reynoldsfounder of Organized Chaos, A company that helps people to free their daily lives, both physically and virtually, producing a decalogue of 10 actions that we can undertake to improve our digital well -being.
Digital decluttering
Many of us tend to accumulate Tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of photos, e-mails and documents That will never be consulted again, generating a digital disorder that can induce anxiety and stress like the physical chaos of a house. In addition, each archived data has a physical presence in the data centers, which they consume energy and resources to keep them active. According to Reynolds, the solution is very simple: “Just as we reorder our physical spaces, we have to do the same with our devices. Eliminating the superfluous helps our mind to feel freer and concentrated “.
To achieve this, Reynolds has conceived, in collaboration with Equinix, 10 practical tips to ensure effective digital decluttering. Why not start putting them in practice just starting from the disconnected day?
How to delete the superfluous from your devices
Here, then, is the decalogue to reorganize our hi-tech devices smartly and reasoned and not to be imprisoned in data, photos, files …
- Define a cleaning plan: Create a list of everything you want to clean up, From e-mails to photos, documents and applications, and starting to face one area at a time.
- Rationalize the photo gallery: organize images in folders, remove duplicates and print the most precious memories.
- Aim for “inbox zero”: deleting unnecessary newsletters, using folders to organize the e-mail and creating a daily mail management routine.
- REFORTABLE DESKTHS AND FILE: avoiding chaos on the screen, Using clear folders and names for each document.
- Clarify your drivers and storage devices: regularly review the storage applicationsavoid accumulation and duplication.
- Organize applications: Delete the unused ones and organize them in folders to reduce the scrolling of the screen.
- Manage the clipboard: checking the apps and removing everything that is no longer relevant.
- Limit notifications: deactivating them when we are working intensely to a project or limiting them to the essential ones.
- Simplify their devices: examining them regularly looking for unused files, tools and softwarebut also evaluating whether all the devices we have are really necessary.
- Keep constancy: continue practicing the decluttering and make it become a habit.
The event for those who want to deepen the theme
The time we spend on smartphones varies between generations: the Gen z spends 6 hours and 18 minutes a day in front of the screen, i Millennial 6 hours and 2 minutes, the Gen x 4 hours and 54 minutes, i Boomers 3 hours and 18 minutes and the Silent generation 1 hour and 16 minutes a day.
Really important numbers spread fromAssociation Iostaccolaspine that, With the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of the Lazio Region, the Day disconnected conferencean event dedicated to digital awareness and promoting a balanced relationship with technology. The conference will be held at the Lazio Regional Council (Via della Pisana 1301, Rome) and will see the participation of experts in the sector, institutions, educators and professionals who will confront each other on the importance of the right to disconnection and digital well -being.
The initiative arises from the need for sensitize public opinion, With particular attention to the younger generations, on the conscious use of technology and the effects that excessive exposure to digital devices can have on mental, relational and social health. The event is open to all those who want to deepen the theme. For more information and to participate in the event, you can contact [email protected]
Disconnection: “less telephone, more taste”, the campaign in restaurants
Thefork, The platform for the online booking of restaurants, on the occasion of disconnected Day has launched The “Connected Taste” campaign In collaboration with The Milanese Imbruttore and Smart. The initiative invites users to put the cell phone away and fully experience the gastronomic experience in restaurants of the Top 100 of TheFork in February in Milan During the weekend of 22 and 23. In selected restaurants, customers will find the Knights placeholders with the message “Moor telephone, more taste” To remember the importance of conviviality at the table.
But do we really behave so bad even at the table? Actually no. According to the study “The distraction at the table” conducted by Thefork on over 2,000 customers of restaurants, awareness of the importance of living the moment without distractions grows. Only 23% of users say they use the mobile phone often at the restaurant, decreasing compared to 30% in 2024. 77% of respondents say they rarely or never use the mobile phone at the table, compared to 64% in 2024. The habit Of photograph the dishes It remains popular: 48% in 2025 compared to 29% in 2024, but with a lower total time spent on the devices. Finally, the use of social and messaging at the table decreased from 36% to 30%.
Connected, but not dependent
To remain connected the right without falling into the addiction to the Internet, other practical advice that can help are that of dedicate time to hobbies and interests that do not require the use of technologies, such as reading, sport or outdoor activities, but also practicing Mindfulness and meditationto improve concentration and reduce the stress linked to the constant need to be online. Equally important is organize activities in presence with friends and family, enhancing the time spent together without the interference of electronic devices e Create free areas from electronic devices at home, as during meals or before going to bedto encourage conversation and rest.
Intelligent connection: a necessary balance
In an era in which the connection is essential, The future will not be offline, But it is necessary to be more aware. Even in a world that never disconnects, it is essential for our well -being to detach from time to time, reload the energies and live the present. But above all, we can, and we must, connect better and cultivate our digital well -being: Only in this way will we be more aware, creative and concentrate. In other words, really connected.
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