Many people will acknowledge that they are obsessed with their phones, but are reluctant to avoid using them unless they are faced with a formal technology challenge like the one that comes from this app.
The Digital Detox Challenge app has users select a difficulty level (easy, medium or hard) and bet on the time they are able to spend away from a phone. For example, a simple challenge might include a short digital detox to go two hours without a phone—in order to make users accountable for fully accepting the challenge, should they fail, they are required to pay their debts.
As the Digital Detox Challenge app points out that "Humanity has survived for thousands of years without texting, tweeting or taking pictures," the app suggests a number of activities that can be done without a phone in hand.
Phone-Avoiding Apps
This Technology Challenge Tests How Long You Can Go Without a Phone
Trend Themes
1. Digital Detox Challenges - Apps that challenge users to temporarily give up their phones are becoming popular, presenting opportunities for tech entrepreneurs to offer creative ways to switch off.
2. Self-accountability Apps - Apps that enforce discipline and self-monitoring are becoming more popular, creating opportunities for businesses to integrate self-accountability features into their products and services.
3. Offline-first Apps - Apps that can operate in offline mode or have limited connectivity are becoming increasingly important, creating opportunities for developers to create offline-first versions of popular apps.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile App Development - Mobile app developers are tasked with creating apps that offer functionalities beyond those that might contribute to screen-time addiction.
2. Wellness - Businesses that promote wellness can capitalize on the increasing public preference for digital detox, and can provide services that help people disconnect from their phones.
3. Fitness - Fitness businesses can integrate digital detox challenges to build their brands and encourage movement, exercise, and time outside the home.