Unplug to Reconnect: What Happens When We Put Our Phones Down

Last week, something special happened at Kingswood School in Bath. Dozens of young people, parents, educators and wellbeing experts came together for Unplug to Reconnect - our youth mental health event exploring how we can step back from our smartphones and rediscover what it means to be human.

The event was about more than turning phones off. It was about turning attention back on to ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us.

Why We Gathered

We live in a world where everything — work, friendships, creativity, even rest — happens through a screen. But what’s that doing to our minds, our relationships, and our sense of self?

Talks that Sparked Real Conversation and Inspiration...

Shona Beats, former COO of Headspace, lifted the lid on how big tech plays with our brain’s natural wiring. She explained the “connection codes” that make social media so irresistible - the dopamine hits, the fear of missing out, the endless scroll designed to keep us chasing validation.

“They don’t just know who you are,” she said. “They know what makes you tick.”

Dr. Susie Davies shared research from The Anxious Generation showing that teenagers now spend over 4.8 hours a day on social media - that’s 75 full days every year. Those with “problematic smartphone use” are up to three times more likely to experience depression.

Her message landed clearly: it’s not about blame, it’s about awareness - and balance.

Then came the teen panel, hosted by Hannah Dawes, where young people spoke bravely about life behind the screen: comparison, pressure, burnout… and the joy of creativity and community when tech is used with intention.

Reconnecting Through Creativity

Artist and educator Lorna Bode reminded us that creativity is one of the most powerful ways to unplug.

“Despite what Instagram tells us, art isn’t about perfection. It’s a healing force — a path home to ourselves.”

Through a guided creative exercise, she invited everyone to imagine shaping a ball of clay - a grounding, sensory act that calmed the room and brought quiet focus.

The Power of Nature & Movement

Tash Filer from the National Trust reminded us that just 20 minutes outdoors can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and improve mood. She highlighted local Bath spaces like Prior Park, Bath Skyline, and Bathampton Meadows — the perfect antidote to screen fatigue.

And Barbara Baskerville, co-founder of Baskervilles Gym, closed the event by showing how movement anchors us in our bodies — helping us reconnect with ourselves in the simplest, most human way.

We also had wonderful poetry, singing performance, drama from Theatre Royal, plus a whole host of offline activities to explore such as clay, gymnastics and parkour.

What’s Next?

Unplug to Reconnect was a wonderful event - and there's so much more coming from us! The Digital Detox Club will continue hosting screen-free gatherings around Bath - spaces to meet, create, and remember that real life is our obsession.

Come along to our next event!