Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Presenter: So, we're back in the studio. Welcome back, everyone. My name's Rick Walker. From our laptops to our televisions, from the displays on our smartphones to those on our satnavs, we are in front of screens all the time. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to disconnect completely? To choose not to have access to the internet? If you have, you may be in need of a digital detox – a total switch-off from all things digital. The idea of people taking a digital detox is becoming more and more popular, especially amongst young people – and today we're joined by someone who's tried a number of digital detox activities and is here to give us some advice about it. Amanda Vince, welcome to the studio.
Amanda: Thank you very much.
Presenter: So, Amanda, you work for a fashion magazine in London, right? I guess your work means you need to be online a lot.
Amanda: Oh, yes. Apart from the hundreds of emails I get every day, I'm always browsing fashion websites, as well as online videos. I also need to be very active online, especially on Twitter and Instagram – sharing what we're doing in the magazine, interacting with designers, photographers, influencers … it never stops, literally. Then of course there's my friends and family to keep in touch with online too, and for me, my work grew out of my passion, so friends and work colleagues aren't two totally separate groups of people and it all gets a bit messy online sometimes. I think I'm online for at least 12 hours a day.
Presenter: So, how did you get the idea for a digital detox?
Amanda: I read a book about it, called Log Off: How to Stay Connected after Disconnecting. The author's name is Blake Snow. That book gave me some really good advice and made me think about trying to change some of my digital habits. I started with removing distraction.
Presenter: What do you mean by that?
Amanda: That means turning off alerts, buzzes, alarms or notifications of any kind. I had notifications set up for everything, and it meant I was always being forced to look at my phone. Removing all of them except for important contacts helped me focus immediately. The book also made a really good point, that we should ask ourselves 'Why?' every time we take out our phone. I realised that most of the times I looked at my phone were because I was trying to avoid or ignore something else happening right in front of me. It was an automatic habit.
Presenter: I have to confess, that happens to me too. But what else are you going to do when you're standing in line at the bank or waiting for your train?
Amanda: OK, yes, I'm the first to admit that it's great for helping time go by. But speaking personally, I found I wasn't just checking my phone to kill time when I was alone. I was also doing it with friends or family around.
Presenter: Hmmm … right. Well, so far, this doesn't sound too drastic. Turning off notifications and becoming aware of when we use our devices. That sounds easy.
Amanda: Yes, it's the first step. Once we begin to realise just how much of a grip our devices have on us, then we're ready to really take the next step. First, my partner and I did a weekend with absolutely no screens. She found it easier than I did. For me, it was a little bit scary at first but it turned out to be a pretty rewarding experience.
Presenter: A whole weekend, huh? I don't know if I could ...
Amanda: I think everyone has to do this at their own pace. If a weekend feels too much, maybe just try for an evening. Then work your way up to more. I guarantee, once you've tried it, you'll want to try it again. We're going to try for a whole week in the summer.
Presenter: OK, let's pause there then and see what our listeners have to say. You can call us here directly, or send us a message on any of our social media channels ... oops, should I be saying that? Anyway, more after the break.
Distractions, both digital and from others, can be a real burden. Taking a digital detox is a great idea! As a Muslim, valuing your time is important, because we will indeed be held accountable for how we spend it. This is a fantastic way to be more mindful and productive.
I usually to make a digital detox when I travel with my family to a small island that my Uncle is owner. In that small island located in a huge lake, we just have eletricity by the generator and we don't have internet or TV signal. Is a great place to relax, enjoy my family, recharge the battery and take a digital detox.
I have already done it!
First, Digital Detox was quite hard, but I could achieve it. Moreover, Although I faced several challenges along my way to the digital disconnection, I reached 2 days with no longer devices. In addition, I obtained many benefits from my digital detox such as quality time along with my loved ones and I enhanced my sleep quality. In summary, disengaging from the digital world can bring you significant advantages.
hi
I am asking about task 1 question 7 why the answer is "tried a two-day digital detox first." ?
in the listening they said that they tried the digital detox in the weekend and found its easy so why the answer cant be "found it very easy to do a digital detox for a weekend."
Hi hajar_mohamed,
The question in the task is as follows:
The first step Amanda took was to remove distraction ("I started with removing distraction.").
After that, she says she was ready for the next step ("Yes, it's the first step. Once we begin to realise just how much of a grip our devices have on us, then we're ready to really take the next step. First, my partner and I did a weekend with absolutely no screens."). In other words, the weekend detox was the first thing she and her partner did in the second stage.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
My version :
The digital detox
Yes, I would like to do a digital detox for two main reasons
1-taking care of the physical and mental healt .Everyone knows how the effects of using the digital devices during a long time ,could be harmfull and dangerous for the human being (e.g : back , hand , eyes …issues ), not to mention the mental conditions due particularly to the perturbation of the melatonic hormane produced by brain in the night while we are in front of the screen set alight by the blue light and while we are supposed to sleep .So staying awake during this period of the time affect the humor as well, showing anxiety ,irritability and stress .
2-reboosting the familial and social relations and interactions they are been neglected for un long time because of these digital devices they had reduced them to the minimum.
Whoever what I could say , and I have not doubt about it , the digital detox is becomming necessary but not easy to accomplish ,since nowdays evreyone is addtict to .Tthe digital detox process I would like to achieve ;will be , : first of all , not using these devices late in the night , then reducir the using time per day and per week to finally not using them at all in the week .I hope I will be able to follow these stages .
Version corrected and reformulated by ChatGPT :
Here's a corrected and reformulated version of your paragraph:
**Digital Detox**
Yes, I would like to do a digital detox for two main reasons:
1. **Taking care of physical and mental health.** It's well-known that prolonged use of digital devices can be harmful and even dangerous to our well-being. For instance, it can cause physical issues like back, hand, and eye strain. Additionally, mental health is affected, particularly because of the disruption of melatonin production caused by exposure to blue light from screens at night. This light interferes with our natural sleep patterns, keeping us awake when we should be resting. As a result, it can lead to mood changes such as anxiety, irritability, and stress.
2. **Reconnecting with family and social life.** Digital devices have significantly reduced the time we spend interacting with our loved ones, leading to neglected relationships. A digital detox would allow me to rebuild and strengthen these connections that have been diminished over time.
That said, while I believe a digital detox is increasingly necessary, I recognize that it won't be easy. Nowadays, almost everyone is addicted to their devices. My plan is to start by not using digital devices late at night, then gradually reducing screen time during the day and week. Eventually, I aim to have some completely screen-free days. I hope I can successfully follow these steps.
I'm wondering Amanda's partner is a girl? If so, they'll be a Lesbian couple!
Hello Tokito Muichiro,
Yes, that is correct.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Hi
Could anyone explain this sentence or make it easier for me to understand
( my work grew out of my passion )
Hi Abdull3h_28,
The sentence means that it started as a passion - a hobby or activity which you loved - and then later it became not just a hobby but a job.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team