HOW TO SPOT AN ADDICTIVE DIGITAL PRODUCT

Variable rewards

Likes and notifications give us the need to check our phones frequently

Feedback loop

Boredom is our worst enemy. Being hyperconnected helps keep us busy

Content never stops

With infinite scrolling and auto-play you are saturated with endless information

Vanity matrix

Arbitrary numerical goals like the number of followers and shares give us a dopamine hit

TIPS TO PLAN A DIGITAL BREAK

Identify which devices you are using in order to take a break from them

Tell people who are likely to contact you during the 24 hours what you are doing

Try to invite the rest of your family or friends to join you. You can plan great activities together

Reading, cooking, planning a game night, visiting a museum, there are many fun and relaxing activities you can do off the grid

Get a notebook to write down directions ahead of time. Also use it to doodle, draw or write down ideas

Create a physical contact list. If you have a landline write down the numbers of people you may want to call

Setup your answering machine to inform people who contact you that you are offline for 24 hours

Set an automate email response to invite to everybody to try a 24 hour digital detox