On 3 December, organisations representing millions of people participated in Techtimeout Tuesday, the UK’s largest digital wellbeing event. The initiative aims to raise awareness of how excessive screen use affects wellbeing and productivity, particularly following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when online shopping activity peaks.
Steph Henson, a Midlands-based tech entrepreneur and founder of Techtimeout, launched the event in 2020 to address the growing issue of digital overuse. Reflecting on her own experiences, Henson explained, “A few years back, I found that I was always ‘switched on’ and looking at a screen. I was replying to emails at 2am and was never more than two feet away from my smartphone – which was constantly pinging. My screen time was excessive – over 14 hours per day, 7 days a week, and it was impacting my well-being.”
Henson described how her screen dependency led to physical and mental health challenges, including headaches, back pain, relationship strain, and difficulty concentrating. Ultimately, the situation became untenable. “It got worse to the point where one day, I couldn’t get out of bed, my emotions were all over the place, and I just couldn’t concentrate on anything. I knew I had to make a change,” she said.
In response, Henson founded Techtimeout to offer practical advice and solutions for managing digital wellbeing. The company has since partnered with organisations across the UK, including Mental Health First Aid England and screen-time app Opal, to promote healthier technology use.
Businesses Join the Movement
This year, Techtimeout Tuesday saw participation from businesses representing over 2.58 million people. Several prominent organisations marked the day with creative initiatives to encourage digital breaks.
Cadbury UK introduced “sleeping bags” for phones in their canteens, while Paddle UK hosted a “Cake and Connect” hour. Rolls-Royce distributed Time Out chocolate bars to employees, urging them to take a break from screens. Menzies implemented a firm-wide Techtimeout hour, and Cardiff FC integrated the event into their academy activities with educational sessions and pledge boards.
Ahead of Techtimeout Tuesday, a report by Techtimeout and Opal revealed concerning statistics about screen use in the UK. According to the report, Brits spend an average of 4 hours and 41 minutes daily on their phones, not including time spent on laptops or desktop computers. This places the UK among Europe’s highest screen-time users.
Henson emphasised the importance of awareness days like Techtimeout Tuesday in addressing these trends. “By encouraging businesses and individuals to step away from their screens, even briefly, we can start fostering healthier habits and improving overall wellbeing,” she said.
The initiative continues to grow, with organisations across various sectors using Techtimeout Tuesday as an opportunity to highlight the importance of balance in a digitally connected world.
“Constant notifications and screen exposure can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Disconnecting regularly allows you to regain control over your attention, improve your overall wellbeing, and improve your productivity levels when you are on screens.”
Steph Henson
