As there is growing awareness of smartphone addiction as a social problem, the religious community is aggressively seeking to reduce the use of digital devices. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — “We will overcome any temptation by praying for a successful digital detox”, is part of the pledge signed by members of a Catholic church in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul.
As there is growing awareness of smartphone addiction as a social problem, the religious community is aggressively seeking to reduce the use of digital devices.
Typical so-called digital detox starts by reducing the use of the Internet, smartphones, TVs, and social networking services (SNS) by five minutes a day.
If successful, the time spent abstaining from the use of digital devices is increased. Sunday is considered a digital Sabbath for some.
More specific methods include banning SNS for more than 20 minutes at a time, not looking at your smartphone before going to bed nor on the bus or train, cleaning up applications that you don’t use, restraint on online games, and refraining oneself from putting their smartphone on the table during meals.
The Catholic church in Cheongdam-dong explained its campaign to cut down on digital devices by stressing how members of the church are missing out on meaningful time with God by using digital devices excessively.
The church hopes that it will be a meaningful time to refrain oneself from using digital devices and look back on life. About 1,500 believers signed the pledge last weekend at the Catholic church in Cheongdam-dong.
Starting with Cheongdam-dong, the church plans to expand its “digital detox” movement and engage in various activities such as education and counseling to prevent digital addiction.
The Catholic Church is not the only religious group to promote a digital detox campaign. Protestant communities are also launching digital detox campaigns to reduce smartphone use.
The Buddhist community plans to launch a campaign to reduce the use of digital devices during Buddha’s Birthday in May.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
