Digital detox, Whats the meaning?

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Neil
And I’m Neil.

Feifei
Ooo. You don’t sound too good, Neil. What’s up? Are you sick?

Neil
I feel sick.

Feifei
What are the symptoms?

Neil
OK, Dr Feifei. Here we go: I can’t sleep, I feel anxious all the time, I can’t concentrate on anything, I have itchy eyes, I’m tired, my neck hurts … I’ve terrible headaches.

Feifei
Ah, I know what the problem is. Do you happen to spend a lot of time online?

Neil
Yes - all the time.

Feifei
Do you keep your phone with you in bed, at dinner, in the toilet?

Neil
Yes, yes, yes, of course - what’s this got to do with how awful I feel?

Feifei
You need a detox.

Neil
A detox? But I haven’t drunk any alcohol for months, I exercise every day and I only eat organic food.

Feifei
No - you need a digital detox. A digital detox is a period of time away from all devices that can connect to the internet.

Neil
I can’t do that! It’s impossible! It’ll get even worse! What if someone likes my status at 4am and I miss it!?

Feifei
Now that IS a sign you’re addicted. You really do need a digital detox. Let’s hear some examples.

Examples
My phone broke the day I went on holiday which forced me to have a digital detox. I felt so relaxed.

I spend all day and night on Saturdays on social media so I need a digital detox every Sunday or I’m too tired to go to work on Monday.

Right. Here’s the key to the safe I’ve locked all my gadgets in. I’m going to do this digital detox even if it kills me!

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And I’m with Neil, who uses his smartphone, tablet and laptop so much, he’s made himself ill.

Neil
And Dr Feifei here has prescribed a strict digital detox.

Feifei
We use the word ‘detox’ more generally to describe a period when you stop doing something harmful - like drinking too much alcohol or eating junk food.

Neil
And so a digital detox is a break from all electronic gadgets. OK, well here’s my phone, Feifei.

Feifei
I’ll deal with that.

Neil
Oh no … I suppose it’s for the best. Goodbye.

Feifei Dr Feifei always knows best.