Overcoming the initial hurdles of a digital detox can be challenging, but the rewards may include a newfound abundance of time. As participant Lipton noted, “The transition was really tough at first, but then you got used to it. You regain, sometimes, hours in a day, just from not scrolling these addictive apps, and it feels like you live a little bit more life.”
To gauge the effects of disconnecting from digital devices, participants shared daily reflections on their experiences and insights. The initiative concluded with a roundtable discussion where students shared how they adapted to life at the university without the constant lure of their phones.
UVA Unplugged exemplifies the innovative approach of Flash in enhancing student involvement. Initially established as “Flash Seminars” in 2012 and revived in 2023, the club has broadened its activities.
“We do a bunch of different projects simultaneously throughout the semester,” explained Cate Murcko, a third-year economics major and the current president of Flash. Besides the flip phone initiative, Flash has also launched “The Strangers Project,” which involved displaying anonymous letters on the Lawn, and a speed-dating event aimed at fostering genuine student interactions.
Max Fleisher, a third-year student focusing on political and social thought and vice president of Flash, emphasized the club’s mission to make student leadership accessible within Flash projects.
“We hope that if someone comes up with an idea, they can make that idea happen the same semester. Even for first-year and second-year students, we hope they will be able to come in and lead their own project, like Yanni,” Fleisher mentioned.
Currently, Flash is working on a comprehensive video documenting the flip phone challenge, intending to release it soon. Looking forward, the club aims to broaden the initiative’s reach, encouraging more students to embrace digital disconnection through future events.
“It was a really cool way for participants to learn more about themselves, learn more about the people around them, and be able to connect with the UVA community, as opposed to the online community,” Aknine remarked.
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