Brain Rot: Meet the people who ditched their smartphonesBrain Rot: Meet the people who ditched their smartphones
All In The Mind
We've all dreamt of lobbing our smartphone into the ocean and going off grid. So what happens when you follow through with it? For the final episode of Brain Rot, we speak to the people who decided they'd had enough. From a French village, to Gen Z 'luddites' in New York City and a group of parents in regional Victoria, there are clubs, campaigns and even laws dedicated to a smartphone-free life. But in 2025, how do you pull it off? And is it actually worth it? This episode originally aired on Brain Rot, a series of the ABC podcast Science Friction. Sana will be back with all-new episodes of All in the Mind from Sunday 19 October. Guests: Stan Awtrey Sportswriter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Vincent Paul-Petit Mayor, Seine-Port, France Lisa Given Professor of Information Sciences, RMIT University Steph Challis Founder, The Phone Pledge Jameson Butler Co-Founder, The Luddite Club Credits: Presenter: Ange Lavoipierre Producer: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Sound Engineer: Ross Richardson Thanks to Sam Goerling for the assistance with French translation. This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples. More Information: The Luddite Club Parents unite to ban teens from smartphones amid social media minimum age review You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. If you'd like to access the transcript for this episode, head to its original webpage.
28:57•11 Oct 2025
Life Beyond Smartphones: Communities Embrace Digital Detox
Episode Overview
- Communities are forming to support living without smartphones.
- Smartphone bans face legal and practical challenges.
- Youth movements like The Luddite Club promote digital detox.
- Parental concerns drive initiatives to delay smartphone use for kids.
- Living without smartphones can improve focus and social interactions.
“"Honestly, since I've gotten rid of my smartphone, I'm more on top of everything. I've become a lot less scatterbrained."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of 'All In The Mind' takes you on a journey to meet people who have decided to ditch their smartphones for a more mindful existence. From a quaint French village to bustling New York City, and even regional Victoria, communities are forming around the idea of living without the constant buzz of notifications.
The episode explores how people are managing this digital detox in 2025, a time when smartphones seem indispensable. You'll hear from Vincent Paul Petit, the mayor of a French commune who attempted to ban smartphones in public spaces, and Steph Chellis, a parent and teacher advocating for delayed smartphone use among children. Meanwhile, in New York, Jameson Butler co-founded The Luddite Club, offering young people a community to unplug and engage with the world around them.
The episode doesn't shy away from the challenges of going smartphone-free, highlighting both the personal and societal hurdles. But is it all worth it? Dive into these stories and see if living off the grid might just be the answer to a more connected life.
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