Digital detox in the upswing: Six out of ten Austrians want less cell phone!

Digital detox in the upswing: Six out of ten Austrians want less cell phone!

Österreich - Austrians are more prisoner than ever in the digital world-smartphone use has exceeded the four-hour brand and creates growth pain. According to a comprehensive survey by Deloitte, many consumers spend an average of over four hours with their smartphone every day. The terrifying knowledge: six out of ten respondents want to reduce their digital consumption. According to the study, users use their cell phone 36 times a day, and over 30 % of those surveyed even spend more than five hours a day on the screen. Florian Brence, partner at Deloitte Austria, warns: "The popularity of the smartphones increases, but the criticism of excessive use also grows."

The consequences of this obsession are alarming. A third of the respondents often feel inhibited by the use of smartphones and has the feeling of waste precious time. In addition, mental and physical complaints such as exhaustion, sleep disorders and headaches have not become uncommon. These worries stir up the urge for an urgently needed digital detox. Proven methods for reducing consumption are the switching off of notifications and stowing away the device outside the range, but only 7 % use the integrated screen time surveillance. The younger generations in particular are affected: Over 84 % of 18- to 24-year-olds rate their use as too high, found a separate survey by Deloitte.

The digital Krux

Despite the constant self -criticism, the idea of a complete waiver of smartphones remains unthinkable for most. An alarming number: only 3 % of those surveyed could imagine taking their smartphone completely. Messaging, social media and information research have become essential components of daily life. This grown dependency ensures that brands and providers currently have to be less concerned about sales, even if consumers question their habits. Instead, the market expects companies to learn to deal with this critical consumer perspective and to focus on responsible digital practices, as Deloitte emphasizes in its analysis.