Beyond Detox: A Social Movement Takes Shape

Month Offline isn’t merely another digital detox retreat; it’s evolving into something akin to a modern social club. The program’s central hub is Hush Harbor, the first phone-free bar in DC, as reported by The Washington Post. Initially, joining involved a nostalgic touch – calling a 1-800 number and leaving a voicemail application. Now, the movement is expanding nationally, offering a website and the opportunity to join a cohort from anywhere in the U.S.

<p>For $100, participants receive the “Dumbphone 1” – essentially a TCL flip phone – a new phone number with a 404 area code, and a structured curriculum to guide them through the month-long challenge. Weekly dial-in radio programs have replaced in-person meetings, fostering a sense of community despite geographical distance. This resurgence of simpler technology echoes a broader trend, reminiscent of the renewed interest in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/syitren-cd-player-review/">CDs</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/technology/digital-cameras-olympus-canon.html">compact digital cameras</a> – devices that prioritize focused functionality over all-encompassing connectivity.</p>

<p>“The phone certainly amplifies some of our avoidant tendencies,” explains Grant Besner, a co-founder of Month Offline. “Just replacing it, even for a short period, and needing to confront your own thoughts, to experience boredom, can be a profoundly transformative and positive experience.”</p>

<p>Month Offline represents a new wave of solutions aimed at addressing our increasingly complex relationship with smartphones. Alternatives like <a href="https://www.vox.com/technology/406829/light-phone-iphone-screen-time-kids">the Light Phone 3</a> offer a deliberately limited feature set, while tools like <a href="https://nymag.com/strategist/article/brick-app-blocker-review.html">the Brick</a>, an NFC-enabled magnet, physically block access to distracting apps. Numerous apps, including <a href="https://www.vox.com/technology/402701/screen-time-reports-instagram-tiktok-iphone">Freedom, One Sec, and Forest</a>, provide digital boundaries. The core principle is that fleeting weekend detoxes are insufficient; lasting change requires intentionality in our phone usage.</p>

<h2>“AA for Smartphones”: The Power of Community</h2>
<p>Brittany Shammas, a Washington Post reporter who participated in a Month Offline cohort and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/interactive/2025/smartphones-dumbphones-month-offline/">documented her experience</a>, highlighted the crucial role of community. Participants weren’t simply seeking a temporary break from their phones; they craved connection and support.</p>

<p>“It definitely had elements that made it feel like a support group,” Shammas shared. “People in the group sometimes would say, ‘This is AA for smartphones.’”</p>

<p>Lydia Peabody, a former participant who now works for Month Offline, found the program transformative. Struggling with her mental health and feeling overwhelmed by endless scrolling, she switched to a flip phone and experienced a profound shift in her perspective. “I didn’t know life could feel this way,” she said. “I didn’t even know I could exist like this.”</p>

<p>For those hesitant to commit to a full month, Month Offline offers the Dumbphone 1 with service for $25 a month, along with the “Dumb Down” app to synchronize calls and texts. Even without the group support, switching to a flip phone can <a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/413657/iphone-detox-flip-phone-friendships">strengthen existing friendships</a> and <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/02/24/nx-s1-5304417/smartphone-break-digital-detox-screen-addiction">improve attention span</a>.</p>

<h2>The Long History of Digital Detox</h2>
<p>The desire to disconnect from technology isn’t new. Over a decade ago, Camp Grounded offered adults a digital-free summer camp experience in California, inspiring the creation of organizations like <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/07/fashion/a-trip-to-camp-to-break-a-tech-addiction.html">Digital Detox</a>, which sparked similar initiatives worldwide. The <a href="https://www.theoffline-club.com/">Offline Club</a> hosts phone-free events across Europe, and the annual <a href="https://www.globaldayofunplugging.org/">Global Day of Unplugging</a>, sponsored by Verizon, encourages a collective pause from digital devices.</p>

<p>However, what began as a wellness trend is now solidifying into a broader social movement. Jean Twenge’s 2017 <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/">Atlantic article, “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?”</a> brought the potential link between tech use and youth mental health to the forefront. This concern was amplified when internal documents revealed that Instagram <a href="https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqcBSCAWcCW8ATTgK0vcR6snOYw6z3CEjO2cxQ0VFRQ-DnanuKL7f_88H1Zk9mI%3D&amp;gaa_ts=690baffb&amp;gaa_sig=836tYAjNoScj532zm35etYUbNWD_QbnZurvn2wWIIXvi95CvGCUIGQH48XZyA_woFt6OM0hrvyk08MKsW2NtRw%3D%3D">was aware of the harmful effects its platform had on teenage girls</a>. Simultaneously, the “Wait Until 8th” pledge gained traction, advocating for delaying smartphone access until age 13, and some families even <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/06/style/parenting-coaches-screen-time-phones.html">sought professional guidance</a> to manage their digital habits. The pandemic further accelerated our reliance on screens, intensifying the need for balance.</p>

<p>Today, school phone bans are gaining momentum. Florida led the way in 2024, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-schools-cell-phone-ban-social-media-89b0c8bdad325fb9a776f4384602a1a1">restricting phone use in classrooms</a>, and now 35 states have implemented similar policies. While the long-term impact on education remains to be seen, a Kentucky school district saw a notable increase in library book checkouts following a statewide phone ban. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/opinion/phone-bans-schools-kids.html">The New York Times</a> reported on this positive correlation.</p>

<p>Over half of U.S. adults express concern about smartphone addiction, <a href="https://theharrispoll.com/briefs/technology-health/">according to a 2024 Harris Poll</a>, yet a complete disconnect seems unlikely for many. Digital detox retreats can offer temporary relief, and research <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/154/4/e2024066142/199412/Digital-Detox-and-Well-Being">suggests</a> they can reduce phone usage even after the program ends. Reducing social media consumption <a href="https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-024-01611-1">is demonstrably beneficial</a> for mental health.</p>

<p>“Overall, there is now emerging evidence that digital detox can and does work,” says Kostadin Kushlev, a Georgetown psychology professor leading the Digital Health and Happiness Lab. However, he notes that much of the research focuses on limiting specific features, like social media.</p>

<p>While I haven’t personally completed the Month Offline challenge, and a week with just a Light Phone 3 proved unsustainable for me, I’ve found value in smaller steps. The simple act of using the Brick to disrupt mindless Reddit scrolling at night provides enough friction to reclaim my attention. What small change can *you* make to be more present?</p>

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Wellbeing

Considering a digital detox? Here are some common questions answered:

• What is the Month Offline program?

  Month Offline is a program designed to help individuals disconnect from their smartphones for a month, providing a flip phone and community support to address the challenges of digital disconnection.

• Is a full month of smartphone abstinence necessary?

  While a full month is the core program, Month Offline also offers the Dumbphone 1 for $25/month, allowing for a more gradual transition to a less connected lifestyle.

• What are some alternatives to Month Offline for reducing smartphone use?

  Alternatives include using apps like Freedom, One Sec, or Forest, employing tools like the Brick to block distracting apps, or opting for smartphone alternatives like the Light Phone 3.

• Is there evidence that digital detoxes actually work?

  Research suggests that digital detoxes can be effective in reducing phone usage and improving mental wellbeing, particularly when combined with intentional strategies for managing technology use.

• Are schools starting to restrict smartphone use?

  Yes, many schools are implementing policies to restrict or ban smartphone use in classrooms, with 35 states now having laws or rules in place regarding phone access during school hours.