Know someone who doesn't have a phone or isn't connected to any device? Come to think of it, everyone around me seems to be holding something in their hands, even babies now have baby phones. It's amazing how such a device gives us access to endless possibilities. Audio and video calls, messaging, access to a sea of information, music, educational videos, these are just some of the things we get access to. So many possibilities attracting our attention. But this also has a price - we are constantly engaged in something. We are constantly bombarded with all kinds of information that complicates our attempts to disconnect from the grid.
When was the last time you switched off? It is hard to imagine life without a digital device. The interesting thing is that I am the one who has to take proactive steps and switch off. Even already at work we have "the right to opt out" and initiatives related to "digital detox". Sometimes I wonder if I would have been so excited about all the toys if I had known what was in store for me and the impact on my well-being.
Digital hygiene
And as I look for ways to create a healthy digital hygiene, I understand that there is a difference between digital literacy between cities and villages, between different generations, even between women and men, girls and boys, and at the same time there are places where there is no access to the Internet. A reality that shows access to the digital world and the lack of it, the constant pursuit of skills development and the lack of such skills, of constantly evolving products and solutions that seem to place the responsibility on me as a user to make the decision to switch off. But I don't see the responsibility or even the warning about the impact of some digital products and solutions.
The solution on the one hand is in the regulations, which are already starting to develop, but while this matures, it might be good to implement "technology policy based on human rights'. This approach puts people at the center, applies a human rights due diligence process that assesses human rights risks, prevents those risks and takes action to remedy them, offers redress if necessary.
This means that if a grandparent trying to access information about their pension online or any service that would improve their life, they need to be trained and develop the skills to do so safely. And accordingly, when making the digital product itself, ethical principles and the skills of the various users should be taken into account.
The digital literacy problem
It involves a lot of people and skill development is key to getting the best benefits in a secure environment. The more advanced the technology becomes, the more training and skills will be required to be able to use the various products most effectively. But whose responsibility is it? How to be in time with everything that happens around us?
There are notes on my computer "making time for chatGPT". But I still don't find the time because I spend hours in front of the computer anyway and I can't imagine that even at the end of the day, I will still be in front of the computer. At the risk of falling behind and not keeping up with technology, today I'm making the decision to unplug, and while it may affect my skills, it will definitely have huge benefits for my brain and my health.
Are you ready to switch off?