NEW YORL (CNN) – Doom-scrolling to get you down?
Put the phone away for an hour. Or, better yet, make it 24 hours – you might just get $ 2400 out of it.
Reviews.org, a home service and products testing company, holds a 24-hour digital detox challenge. They will pay their chosen challengers more than two grand to survive an entire day without screens.
“If you have the need to have your devices demolished for a day but still have to pay, this is the ideal opportunity for you,” the company wrote on its website where prospective digital detainees can apply.
Paste on social media? Perfect (for the match)
To determine who should apply, the company asks some judgmental questions.
“Ever wanted to win reality shows like American Ninja Warrior, but were you too busy defeating Mario Kart and Mortal Kombat?” Reviews.org asks potential applicants.
“Do you know a little too much about your old acquaintances on social media?”
According to the company, the ideal candidate is someone who is ‘definitely into technology’ and presents a challenge. And while it may seem easy to take an Instagram detox for a day, the challenge is a little more involved.
It’s not as easy as it sounds
Those selected for the challenge not only have to swear off their phones for the day, but television, games, computers, smart watches and smart devices (think smart smart speakers) are also out of bounds.
But, the company explains, microwaves are still good.
The challengers receive safes to store their electronics 24 hours a day, along with a $ 200 Amazon gift card to put together a technology-free “survival kit,” the company wrote.
Some reviews.org survival suggestions include a typewriter to replace computers, writing paper to replace texts, and paints and brushes to replace the art of the selfie.
Challengers will need to review the survival package and provide feedback on the experience after the challenge – but they will do so with the coveted title “2021 Digital Detox Challenger”.
Screen time is a growing health risk
The company’s challenge comes at a time when “screen time” is gaining new meaning.
The pandemic has forced many people to work remotely and students to study online, making screens more essential than ever before.
According to a 2019 report by the nonprofit Common Sense Media, American teens spend on average more than seven hours a day on screen media just for entertainment.
“We feel that someone out there needs a break,” wrote Reviews.org.
To apply, the company asks for some personal information and a 100-word question about why you are ready for the challenge. Applications will be open until March 26 and winners will be announced on March 29 on the company’s YouTube page.
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