The Offline Club: Disconnecting to Reconnect with Real Life

Lois Shafier was thrilled to drop her mobile phone into a deposit box, knowing she would be offline for the next two hours. Like many, she struggled to disconnect from her phone, calling it an addiction. Shafier was attending an event hosted by The Offline Club in London, which had sold out quickly. Over 150 young adults, mostly between the ages of 20 and 35, paid £9.50 (US$12) for the opportunity to unplug and reconnect with others in person.

Many of the participants, like Bianca Bolum, a 25-year-old jeweller, expressed their desire to disconnect from the constant pull of technology. Bianca, who had come to the event alone, was eager to meet new people. She explained that despite being part of the “technology generation,” they were exhausted by it. According to Ofcom, young Britons spend over four hours a day on their phones. Liliann Delacruz, 22, confessed to spending up to 10 hours a day texting, surfing the net, and scrolling through social media. For her, the event was a welcome break from the endless screen time.

The venue, a local church, had board games scattered around tables. People engaged in conversation, played games, and experienced a sense of freedom as they left their phones at the door. Harry Stead, 25, a local engineer, noted the “freeing” feeling of being without his phone. He admitted he often felt the urge to check it, suffering from “FOMO” (fear of missing out).

Shafier, who had come with a friend, reflected on her reliance on her phone. She described feeling angry with herself for how much time she spent on it. Yet, as soon as the event ended, she eagerly checked her phone again. It’s ironic that many discovered the event through social media, often via Instagram posts.

Ben Hounsell, 23, the event’s organizer, emphasized that he was not against technology but believed that taking a few hours away from screens could have numerous benefits. Since launching in October, the Offline Club has rapidly expanded, with over 2,000 participants in London alone. New branches have been set up in Paris, Barcelona, and Dubai.

Inspired by book clubs, The Offline Club provides an antidote to the growing loneliness and mental health issues associated with technology addiction. People are craving genuine, face-to-face connections, and the club offers a space for that. Influencers like Léna Mahfouf and Venetia La Manna are also leading by example, disconnecting from their devices to improve their mental well-being and reconnect with the real world.

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