Digital Detox With the Offline Club’s Hangout
You all know too much screen time is bad, and opportunities like these could be the nudge you need to address this problem. Their second event is coming on the 22nd of June.
At a time when screen time is skyrocketing and the desire for real connection is growing, Ilya, Valentijn, and Jordy recently launched The Offline Club here in Groningen. This club organises offline events and digital detox hangouts in existing cafes across the Netherlands, where people come together to take a break from their phones and other digital distractions.
The next opportunity to join The Offline Club and experience a digital detox will be on Saturday, June 22. Tickets for this 'digital detox hangout' can be purchased here. Don’t miss this chance to join a movement that strives for more real connections and healthier interactions without technology.
The first edition in Groningen took place on June 2, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Concerthuis. The Offline Club aims to make 'being offline' more accessible and allow people to incorporate this into their daily routine. People's current telephone behaviour has many negative consequences, such as reduced concentration and less personal interaction, and something needs to change about that. By integrating moments of digital detox into daily life, the founders hope that participants will find a better balance between online and offline activities.
During the event, attendees could spend time offline in a relaxed and natural way. They could strike up conversations with strangers, read a book, write, or dedicate time to their hobbies. A group of student friends laid out bags of coloured beads on the table in front of them, spending a few hours without a phone and making jewellery. The goal was to let people experience how valuable and refreshing it can be to spend time without digital distractions.
The event featured calming guitar music, and about 35 visitors gathered in the café, enjoying some time for themselves without screens. In the middle of the event, there was time to connect with each other and chat with neighbours, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
The event concluded with participants sharing tips to combat excessive telephone use, such as using a black and white filter to make Tiktok less attractive or downloading an app that warns you if you spend too much time on social media. While some visitors missed the convenience of their phones, the overall consensus was positive. Participants felt they could extend their digital detox experience beyond the event.
Don't miss the chance to join The Offline Club on June 22 for another much-needed digital detox hangout. This is an opportunity to join a movement that promotes real connections and healthier interactions with technology.
If you can’t attend the event, consider organising a similar digital detox with friends. Suggest the idea in a Facebook or Reddit group, or a Whatsapp group chat. Sometimes, we all need reminders to take a break from our screens and reconnect with the world around us. Organising an offline hangout can be a simple yet powerful way to enjoy quality time with friends and experience the benefits of being offline together.