The Experiment
Behind the whole basis of this project has been our desire to understand how Smartphone use actually affects young people, especially in an education setting. To do this, we worked in collaboration with the University of York to run a scientific experiment that monitored not just the social effects upon young people, but also the physiological effects of a real digital detox.
The experiment, led by Professor Lisa Henderson and Dr Emma Sullivan from the University of York, saw the pupils undergo a series of tests, with experts monitoring their behavioural changes throughout the period, and repeating the tests at the end of the three weeks to conclude what effects giving up your phone really does have on your brain including sleep and attention.
By comparing them to a control group who were using their phones as usual, the experiment was able to reveal what effects giving up your phone really does have on your brain including for sleep, cognitive abilities and wellbeing.
The tests included a series of cognitive tasks, testing attention, reaction times and memory, also measuring the brain directly with EEG. The students also participated in questionnaires covering sleepiness, mood, stress, loneliness, school enjoyment and social connectedness. Throughout the experiment, students had Activity Tracker watches to measure their sleep, daily activity and heart rate variability.
At the end of the experiment, the experts gained a better understanding of how the group’s relationship with their smartphones had changed, and how the findings could be the catalyst for nationwide change for children under 16.
This is the first experiment of its kind to really look at the depth and detail behind digital detoxing in young people. Prior to this experiment, much of our awareness of the impact of smartphones on young people has been anecdotal. Therefore, this is a chance to really understand whether or not measures need to be put in place to better protect young people.
