For over a decade, I worked in marketing, PR, advertising and lobbying. I regularly used social media to gather huge amounts of data on the “engagement” of target audiences in order to re-target them with intrusive messages.
I was basically pushing people into more likes, more sharing, more scrolling. Into spending more time and energy on their phone. All to sell more products and services.
At home, scrolling endlessly through my own Instagram and Facebook feeds, I slowly started to realise: Hold on a second. I’m being pushed to spend time here, the same way I push other people. Most importantly, scrolling and liking and sharing are taking a lot of my time. Time I used to spend with the people I love, doing the things I love the most.
The wake-up call was when my son Luca was born. It’s impressive how the “net” discovers that you’ve become a father and bombards you with all kinds of baby products, ads and suggestions.
Too much was too much.
I cancelled my Twitter account, deleted my Facebook profile, shut down my Instagram and took control of my smartphone notifications, emails and instant messages. With more time on my hands, I read stacks of books and new research on the negative (freaking scary!) effects of smartphones and the internet in general on our brainpower and mental health.
Every day I used my phone less. And every day I started to feel calmer, to enjoy every single moment more, more in control of my thoughts, more … like a human being.
Mario is the founder of Unpluggo®, digital liberator, trainer and keynote speaker.
Unpluggo® helps you to turn off your phone and turn on your mind.
Led by digital wellbeing specialists, our interactive workshops teach participants effective techniques to be in control of – and not controlled by – technology.
The unpluggo® experiences invite participants to not only learn how to use digital tools more efficiently but also reconsider how technology (or the absence of technology) best serves their goals and interests.
Stimulating, engaging and thought-provoking, our workshops offer an excellent platform for both team-building and self-reflection.
We provide a memorable starting point for making meaningful, long-term changes.
Website: https://unpluggo.ch
