Television presenter Emma Willis recently shared her experience of dealing with withdrawal and anxiety during the filming of a new Channel 4 documentary. Known for hosting popular shows like Love Is Blind and The Voice UK, Emma, alongside her husband Matt Willis, participated in an experiment where they gave up their smartphones for a three-week period. The experiment also involved students from a school in Essex.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Emma expressed how challenging the initial days were without her phone. She mentioned feeling out of control due to the reliance on technology for everything. Despite the initial struggles, Emma found the experience liberating once she adapted to the change. After the experiment, she even continued to use a basic handset for a few more days as she did not want to go back to her previous phone habits.
Emma decided to keep only essential apps on her smartphone post-experiment and allocated specific time for social media use. The documentary titled “Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones” aims to shed light on the impact of smartphones on society. University of York scientists observed Year 8 pupils’ behaviours at a school in Colchester, alongside the presenters of the show.
Within the documentary, there are discussions about potentially raising the digital consent age and implementing bans on smartphones for children under 16, both at home and in schools. While the Department for Education provides guidance on restricting phone usage during school hours, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated the need for further examination regarding children’s online activities.
The project highlights the growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on young people and the potential measures to address these issues. Emma Willis’s candid revelations about her personal struggles without a smartphone offer viewers a glimpse into the broader societal debate surrounding technology usage.
The experiences shared by Emma and the students involved in the documentary serve as a reminder of the pervasive influence of smartphones in our daily lives. The insights gained from this experiment prompt reflection on the role of technology in shaping our behaviours and mental well-being. As the documentary airs later this year, it is expected to spark conversations about responsible technology use and its implications for individuals and communities.