No phones for a week

Pupils in an eighth-grade class in Eysturskúlin were recently given the chance to experience what life was like before the arrival of smartphones.

They took part in an experiment in which their phones were locked away for a full week.

They were, however, allowed to check their phones ten minutes every day to stay up-to-date with essential information.

According to class teacher Elly Johannesen, the pupils spent much more time outdoors, including planting potatoes, which most of them had never done before.

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“We noticed a clear positive effect after a week of not using phones. They appeared much more energetic; they said they slept better, their mood improved and they had fewer headaches.” she explains.

“Many found it difficult at first, but after a while they started appreciating what they are missing when they are glued to their phones.”

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The teacher also had to lock away her phone for a week, which wasn’t easy.

“We are clearly addicted to our smartphones. I think this is a much bigger problem than we realise.”

She hopes this initiative will inspire other classes to try a phone-free week.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.