Why don't you just Shut the Phone Up!
HMD encouraging people to shut the phone up and take some time away from their smartphone this Sunday, February 16 and beyond
Do you want to take a digital detox but wondering when is the perfect time to do it? We’ve got you covered! HMD have declared February 16, 2025, to be the first day of ‘Shut the Phone Up Sunday’, a day each week where you’re encouraged to switch off your smartphone and take a break from the busy and distracting world of notifications and endless scrolling.
The ‘Shut the Phone Up Sunday’ initiative was created by HMD to help with digital distractions and mental clarity. Participants can take part in various ways, such as switching their smartphone for a simpler feature phone, enabling a detox mode on their existing device, or for those ready for a challenge, completely unplugging and going phone-free every Sunday to embrace a digital detox and reclaim a day of digital rest.
What is a digital detox?
A digital detox is the term used to describe the action of taking a purposeful break from digital devices (including but not limited to smartphones) in an effort to escape the endless stream of notifications as well as allow the mind to take a break. A digital detox can come in many forms including powering off your smartphone for a few hours, using a ‘dumbphone’/feature phone or turning on detox mode on a detox enable HMD smartphone.
Taking a digital detox has become popularized by Gen Z, a generation whose self-awareness of being ‘chronically online’ has led to them self-reflecting and trying to reverse this generational attribute. Gen Z have popularized nostalgic devices like flip phone and other feature phones as fashion accessories as well as ways for them to take a break from their smartphones. The TikTok hashtag #bringbackfliphones has gained an impressive 61 million views, reflecting a growing interest in moving away from the constant hold of modern smartphones.
"A digital detox can be a powerful way to learn something new about yourself. It becomes very clear just how your smartphone might be affecting you when you have to live without it for a short period of time, and this clarity comes through direct experience."
The importance of taking a digital detox for your mental health
Whether you’re looking to take a digital detox once a month, once a week or even once a day, there are several benefits to taking a step away from your phone. Over a variety of live sessions, we spoke to several experts in the digital and mental health space on the impacts of social media and smartphones. These sessions, a part of HMD’s Better Phone Project, looked at varying ways smartphones are affecting the young people of today. These findings can also indicate that smartphone overuse is also affecting adults
Using audience insights platform, GWI, we also found that Gen Z are 24% more inclined than average to feel that social media has caused them anxiety.² Numbers like these are why it is more important than ever to learn to have healthy relationships with our smartphones and social media. Learning our mental behaviors and understanding when it is time to take a break.
Tips and tricks for taking your first digital detox
Are you feeling intimidated by the thought of putting your phone down? That’s ok! It is normal to feel apprehensive and might be sign that you do in fact need a break from your smartphone. If you don’t know where to start and are looking for a way to ease into a digital detox, you can follow some of the tips below from Arne Mathisen.
HMD has partnered with Arne Mathiesen, entrepreneur and owner of Dumbphone.dk (a group that works to teach young people in Denmark the benefits of being online less) to reveal his top five tips to Shut the Phone Up this year:
1. Don’t go it alone.
Try disconnecting with someone else, as a family for example, or with a group of friends. It’s much easier to take the first step if you’re surrounded by others who are embarking on the experience with you.
2. Don’t rely completely on your own willpower.
Even with the best will in the world it can be all too easy to fall back into old habits. Remove as many temptations as possible, whether that be putting away your smartphone entirely and swapping to a feature phone, or enabling a detox mode that limits your access to certain apps.
3. If you’re worried about missing important phone calls, put your existing sim card into a feature phone when you want to take a break.
That way you’ll have the peace of mind that you’ll still be able to make or receive those calls, without sacrificing your detox.
4. Accept that you may feel uncomfortable at first.
We’ve become used to keeping these feelings at bay by scrolling on social media, but the discomfort will pass, and you may find yourself experiencing a different, calmer state than before.
5. The more resistant you feel to the idea of a digital detox, the more you may actually stand to gain from it.
We’ve become reliant on our smartphones thanks to today’s modern world, but taking a break is a healthy way to reconnect with the world beyond our screens.
"View the digital detox as a way of gaining experiential insight. This can serve as a powerful motivator for changing habits afterward, while also giving you foundational awareness of which specific habits you may want to alter. A Sunday is a perfect day for a digital detox, as for most people it’s a day without commuting to work or picking up the kids from school. I hope you will join Human Mobile Devices and start the Sunday digital detox.”
Need a digital detox device?
Believing in a digital detox starts with providing the tools for you to take your own. We have several different devices that are perfect for you to begin your very own digital detox journey. You can find the HMD Smartphone range and the HMD feature phone range on the HMD website.
We are running an exciting deal for you to get 20% HMD feature phones from Tuesday 11th of February using the code SHUTOFF20 on HMD.com.3
The HMD Skyline is designed for more than just style and performance; it’s the ultimate tool for embracing a digital detox. While its impressive 108MP back camera and 50MP front camera with selfie gesture capabilities make it ideal for capturing life’s moments, and its Gen 2 repairable design ensures long-lasting use, the Skyline truly stands out with its Digital Detox feature. This innovative function lets users regain focus by blocking notifications or limiting access to selected apps entirely. Available in stunning Neon Pink, Twisted Black, and Topaz Blue, the Skyline is not just a smartphone, it’s your ally in balancing connection and clarity.
The HMD Barbie™ Phone is the most fashionable and pink way to take a vacay from your smartphone. Featuring a bright pink design inspired by the iconic doll, it offers a 2.8-inch QVGA display, a 0.3MP rear camera, and 128MB 4 of internal storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD). The phone includes essential features such as calling, texting, a built-in FM radio, and a long-lasting 1450mAh battery (up to 9 hours talk time). The HMD Barbie Phone comes with a range of accessories that make the experience as pink as ever. Also included is a custom charging cable featuring Barbie-inspired accents, adding a touch of style to everyday functionality.
We are so excited for you to take this detox with us. Once you have participated in your digital detox, share your experience with us by tagging @hmd.devices on Instagram or @hmd on TikTok.
Based on research presented in the HMD Better Phone Project.
Data from GWI Core Q1-Q2 2024, internet users aged 16-24
Offer valid with code SHUTOFF20 from Monday 10 February until 23:59 GMT 9 March 2025, or until stock lasts. Offer valid only for customers in United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Austria, USA, Italy and Finland. One time code usage, limited to 5 units. This code can be used on top of existing offers.
Pre-installed system software and apps use a significant part of memory space.
