Is it me or is there a trend of people who (temporarily) get rid of their smartphone or social media, for real or as experiment? Maybe it's because I just read two books about this topic and I suddenly see many news items about the same topic. Within a few days after reading these books, I read in EllE Magazine that author Zadie Smith has no smartphone and the Dutch newspaper NRC has started an experiment in which 8 people change their smartphone for 6 months for a simple Nokia mobile phone. I'm sure there is a name for this phenomenon, just like when you buy a red car, suddenly there are red cars everywhere.
One book I read (in Dutch) tells the experiences of a guy (Johan van Houten) who went offline completely for a year. (Sidenote: another trend, I think, is doing something weird for a whole year and write/blog/insta about it). His experiences are sometimes funny, sometimes ironic (when a company refers him to the website for more information). Is it doable, a year without internet and mobile phone? According to this book it is, although it's not easy. Is it the solution to stress, distraction and so on? I don't think so. There is value to having internet and mobile access. It's just our behavior that's off. The author agrees and suggests a balanced online and offline life.
That's where the other book I read becomes useful. Catherine Price suggests in her book "How to break up with your phone" a 30-day plan to get into a better relationship with your phone. Both books are aimed at making us aware of our mobile phone behavior and changing it so it becomes more healthy and less stressful.
Personally, I think I'm less attached to my phone than both authors describe. Maybe it's because I have many offline distractions (running, reading, knitting) and didn't have TV for many years (we have Netflix now). On the other hand, I use my smartphone a lot for e-mail, searching for information (for example, train departure times), social media and online banking. I wouldn't want to do without it, but i don't feel addicted. Still, it's good to become aware of one's behavior and I'm probably more hours online than I think now. Of the two books, the second book is most practical with a plan instead of a range of tips.