{"id":46161,"date":"2023-12-19T14:47:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T11:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saudishopper.com.sa\/en\/?p=46161"},"modified":"2026-03-28T04:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T01:48:07","slug":"why-the-digital-detox-is-shaping-up-to-be-one-of-2024s-biggest-tech-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saudishopper.com.sa\/en\/why-the-digital-detox-is-shaping-up-to-be-one-of-2024s-biggest-tech-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Digital Detox is shaping up to be one of 2024\u2019s biggest tech trends\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Karl Escritt, CEO of Like Digital & Partners, asks \u2018Have we reached peak digital dependency?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Karl<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a symptom of the times that in our hyperconnected world, many people feel less connected than ever. With our always-on mentality and our smartphones now acting as an extension of our limbs, is it any wonder the population as a whole is heading towards a mass global burnout? From that first morning scroll through social media to that after-hours Teams\u2019 chat from your boss, or the dopamine hit of your late-night shopping spree, our days are defined by near-constant access to digital technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts have long told us that excessive internet use can lead to disturbed sleep, anxiety, depression, and poor health due to reduced physical activity. We know too much screen time is bad for us, but just how do we start to address this dependency? As we near the end of 2023, there\u2019s a collective need to refocus on what it means to live a full and productive life, prioritising mindfulness, mental health, and authentic connections away from the screen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Dependency in the UAE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here in the UAE, we are voracious consumers of the internet. According to a report by Global Media Insight<\/a>, in a population of 10.17 million people, there are 9.69 million smartphone users and 9.2 million mobile internet users. On average, UAE residents are online for 7 hours and 29 minutes per day, with mobile phones accounting for 65.11% of internet use. If you\u2019re wondering how that stacks up internationally, GSMA puts it into perspective, reporting that the UAE and Saudi Arabia share the 11th<\/sup> spot globally for mobile phone usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Mental Health a Priority in the Workplace <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the pandemic, there\u2019s been a seismic shift in the way we work. And while many of us have welcomed the hybrid model of remote and office work, all of that \u2018working from home\u2019 has lifted the veil that previously separated the workplace from our private domain. Employers have a real responsibility to ensure their teams are not feeling burnt out. Key ways employers can foster a healthy digital relationship and encourage work-life balance include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n