LEGAL
Are dumbphones the smart choice? With no access to the internet, dumbphones are devices used simply to make and receive phone calls and to send SMS messages. You can’t access any social media platforms on them, and many are without cameras. So why are people opting for them? What could your business learn from this trend? By Pam Loch, Employment Law Solicitor and Managing Director of Loch Associates Group
There is no doubt that being connected to the online world is a fundamental requirement for contemporary businesses, creating opportunities to build brands, generate business, recruit new employees and more. Having a device which is used for work purposes has become a staple accessor y for employees in many different industries, from office-based professional services to those working in retail or construction for example. Social media is vital for businesses. Never before have companies been so in touch with their customers; directly interacting with them 24 hours a day. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in physically distancing people, but social media made it easy to stay connected to colleagues and customers. Regardless of social media’s benefits, there is overwhelming evidence that it can harm individuals’ mental wellbeing
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if not used correctly. When using social media for personal and professional reasons, boundaries between these two areas can become blurred, creating more stress and pressure. The 24/7, fast-paced nature of the platforms make it hard for users to switch off and have time away from their screens. On average, each user is active on 6.6 different platforms and spends approximately two hours, 27 minutes on social media daily. This rises to three hours, 17 minutes when looking at teenagers. 13 to 18 year-olds will soon be entering the labour market, and within 20 years will make up the largest percentage of workers.
The fact that this generation was raised alongside social media proves it is now integrated into our culture for the long haul, including our professional lives. Of course, not every person is a regular social media user, consequently adding a level of anxiety and concern about being out of the loop for those individuals who choose not to be digitally active outside of work. Is the tide turning? There is a current trend in people who are choosing to remove themselves from social networking platforms and all internet access on their phones, opting for dumbphones to help them achieve that. A recent report has revealed the number of Google searches for these dumbphones has risen by 89% between 2018 and 2021. So what can we learn from this? Clearly, there is a desire and a need to adopt healthy relationships with your smartphones and social media, and for employers to consider how they can encourage that. Here are some tips to help us achieve that too -
❛❛ There is overwhelming evidence that it can harm individuals’ mental wellbeing if not used correctly ❜❜
