Do Chongqing residents need to take a Tech Timeout?

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The World’s first pedestrian mobile phone lane has been created in the Chinese city of Chongqing, designed for people to walk and use their smartphones without colliding into others.

According to The Independent newspaper, the new lane is intended to be an ironic reminder that it is dangerous to become too engrossed with phones while walking. “There are lots of elderly people and children in our street, and walking with your mobile phone may cause unnecessary collisions here” said a city spokesman.

While there seem to be no plans for doing the same in the UK just yet, it may not be far off. So says Steve Dilworth, from member focused financial services organisation Foresters. He explains:

“Certainly in the UK, we appear to be a nation of digital addicts. Research* shows that 81% of adults prefer to text, email or search the internet etc, rather than actually talk to one another, while 39% use social media or their phone while speaking with someone face-to-face.

“And this is just the tip of the iceberg. A previous study** revealed that children spend around 50 hours a week using technology, and adults are plugged in for 64 hours during this period of time also.

“It is clear that the use of digital devices may well be encroaching on family time. This is a worrying, anti-social trend, affecting our relationships with those we care about and robbing children of the chance to develop social skills.

The research** highlighted that 61% of adults believe that just an hour a day without technology would increase family communication and 38% felt it would improve family relationships.

With this in mind, Mr. Dilworth suggests that the residents of Chongqing “disconnect to reconnect” – which is the ethos of Foresters’ Tech Timeout campaign.

He explains: “Our campaign has been running for a year now and has attracted over 33,000 pledges. It is simple – for one hour every day for a week turn off your electronic devices and do something else – and together”.

Mr. Dilworth reports the positive feedback the campaign has received, with many people now having a regular ‘ban’ on technology having seen the benefits of trying it for a week.

To find out about Foresters’ Tech Timeout campaign, visit www.techtimeout.com

Ends

EDITOR’S NOTES

*Study of 1,000 people across the UK, Spring 2014

**Study of 1,100 people across the UK, November 2013

Studies carried out on behalf of Foresters by Wriglesworth Research.

CONTACT:

Steve Dilworth, MD, Member Network UK, Foresters on: 0208 628 3400 or email: steve.dilworth@foresters.co.uk

ABOUT FORESTERS:

At Foresters we believe in enriching the lives of our members, their families and the communities they live in. We’re member-based, family-focused, and community spirited.

Our products benefit both your family and your community. We champion the well-being of families through quality financial products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities.

We share our financial strength with over one million members across the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Throughout our 140-year history, our purpose has been to enrich the lives of members, their families and communities. The priorities remain today and will guide our future.

As an example, our work with Cash for Kids in their 2013 Mission Christmas Appeal helped over 278,000 children to have a better Christmas. The whole campaign raised £8m and involved 1,463 Foresters volunteers and is part of Foresters, the international financial services organisation.

Internationally, Foresters has over £14bn* funds under management and has been assigned an 'A' excellent rating by A.M. Best.**

Safeguarding our members' interests is at the heart of what we do. Being financially strong and responsive, with sound governance and continuing professional service have always helped us to protect our members' benefits.

*As at 31st December 2013

**An ‘A’ excellent rating is assigned to companies that have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best Company. In assigning Foresters rating A.M. Best stated that Foresters outlook rating is ‘stable’, which means it is unlikely to change in the near future, assuming Foresters financial strength is maintained and operations grow. A.M. Best assigns rating from A to F, A being superior and A and A- being excellent ratings. This rating was assigned on 3rd July 2013. Our International Head Office is located at 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9. 

DAC Ref No. 2013321 FM/CO   01/15

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Quick facts

81% of adults prefer to text, email or search the internet etc, rather than actually talk to one another, while 39% use social media or their phone while speaking with someone face-to-face
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Children spend around 50 hours a week using technology, and adults are plugged in for 64 hours during this period of time also
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The Tech Timeout campaign has been running for a year and has attracted over 33,000 pledges. It is simple – for one hour every day for a week turn off your electronic devices and do something else – and together
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Quotes

It is clear that the use of digital devices may well be encroaching on family time. This is a worrying, anti-social trend, affecting our relationships with those we care about and robbing children of the chance to develop social skills
Steve Dilworth, MD, Member Network UK, Foresters
Certainly in the UK, we appear to be a nation of digital addicts
Steve Dilworth, MD, Member Network UK, Foresters