Courtesy Gabb Wireless

People of all ages likely have a cellphone or some sort of smart device they use for communicating, work-related matters, gathering information or for entertainment purposes.

There’s no doubt that the technology is an integral part of modern society, but researchers suggest excessive screen time can lead to mental and physical health problems, among other behavioral issues.

In efforts to limit the endless hours of scrolling on a screen and encourage more in-person connections, Gabb Wireless, the smartphone company with a focus on safe technology for kids, is advocating for less screen time by inviting smartphone users to participate in its second annual digital detox.

In the spirit of the decades in the past before apps and social media, Gabb kicked off this year’s challenge with a 1990s-themed retro launch party at its Lehi headquarters on Thursday.

According to company leaders, the initiative coincided with the Global Day of Unplugging and invites businesses, families, schools, governments and individuals nationwide to disconnect from digital distractions and reconnect with what matters most.

Courtesy Gabb Wireless

“Gabb’s mission has always been to help kids and families live beyond the screen,” said Lori Morency Kun, vice president of community impact at Gabb, in a press release. “Technology should serve us, not consume us. This detox is a chance for families, employees and communities to take a step back and reset their relationship with digital devices.”

The weeklong challenge, running this week from Monday through Sunday, is open to Gabb employees, customers and members of the public.

Ambitious entrants also are invited to try a 24-hour detox by putting the devices away for a full day as part of the Global Day of Unplugging on Friday.

While the challenge is based on limiting screen time and embracing real-world connections, participants can “detox” from screens in their own way.

Individuals can customize their detox by swapping devices to an emergency-only phone or another alternative device, deleting apps, switching their screens to black and white or designating phone-free periods throughout the day.

Ashley Bingham, director of paid media at Gabb, participated in last year’s challenge by setting time restrictions on her phone use and by limiting use that wasn’t purposeful.

Bingham said she challenged herself not to look at her phone early in the mornings or in the evenings after work.

“I’m a mom of three, and being a working mom, I always feel like there’s not enough time in the day to do all the things,” Bingham said in an interview with the Daily Herald. “And I did realize, there’s more time in the day than I realized. You know, there’s time to catch up on the dishes and time to chat with my kids and when my phone is just out of the equation, I could feel that I was more present.”

Robert Dean, product manager at Gabb who also took last year’s digital detox challenge, took it a step further.

He switched from a smartphone to a flip phone for six months.

“The flip phone was a way for me to do a bit more of a hard reset on my digital habits with my phone,” Dean said. “I felt like I had been thinking about it actually for a long time, and I felt like I needed that much harder digital reset.”

The average flip phone allows for basic uses like calling, texting and some internet browsing, with a much smaller camera than those accustomed to a modern iPhone or Android device are used to.

“We’re so used to such a robust user experience and beautiful interfaces on our devices these days that the flip phone was very stark in contrast, it’s harder to use — it’s got a much more limited set of features,” Dean described.

While that contrast was a catalyst for the experiment, Dean said the detox presented a range of emotions for him, from initial frustration in using such an antiquated device to eventually increased presence and clarity.

He encourages others to consider doing the challenge to help foster connections with others and discover alternative ways for people to stimulate their minds away from a screen.

Bingham said as a mother of three children, it’s important to set an example in being more intentional with smart device use.

“You know, a life lived on a screen isn’t really a full life,” she said. “And you know, they’re going to mimic what they see you (parents) do. So if they see us with our phones away more, I think that’s only going to be for the better.”

Both Dean and Bingham say they are participating in this year’s challenge as well.

Those interested in joining Gabb’s weeklong initiative or one day of unplugging can visit https://gabb.com/digital-detox/.