Mum of two Hannah Britt booked her extended family into a remote farmhouse in France for a DIY digital detox to reap the rewards of going screen-free. With half term approaching, screen time may be about to soar. In fact, young people could spend 42% more time on their phones during the summer holidays compared to term time, according to research by Vodafone.
A Family Hooked on Screens
Hannah admits she and her partner John are completely addicted to their phones, spending evenings scrolling social media and sending Reels back and forth. Their two young children don't have a phone, but they do own Kindles and enjoy Peppa Pig marathons. During school holidays, their screen time soars, and Hannah was determined to change this.
Leaving the Kindles at home, she booked a remote French farmhouse on Airbnb and packed the family off for a DIY digital detox. The stone farmhouse in Saint-Sauveur-de-Cruzieres provided the perfect backdrop for old fashioned family fun - not a telly or smartphone in sight.
Expert Insight on Holiday Screen Use
Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley explains that school provides children with structure and built-in limits on screen use, but once holidays arrive, that structure disappears. Parents juggling work and childcare often find screens a convenient option, and digital entertainment is designed to be engaging and hard to switch off from.
Kirsty notes that screens aren't inherently 'bad' and can be educational, social, and calming. However, when screen time dominates, it can crowd out active play, real-world socialising, outdoor time, and rest. High levels of screen use are linked to disrupted sleep, reduced concentration, and higher stress levels in both children and adults.
The Detox in Action
On arrival, Hannah and John placed their phones in a drawer, along with the children's Kindles, and hid the TV remote on the top shelf of a bookcase. The pool, swings, hammock, and garden games provided hours of entertainment. With no phone to check, Hannah found herself truly engaged, present and in-the-moment.
Peppa Pig was replaced with a performance of the Backstreet Boys in the outdoor dining area, and Instagram was shunned in favour of a nature walk in the grounds. The family saw a rabbit, hundreds of crickets, and the back end of a badger. The long indoor table became a place to draw and read, and blankets were spread on the grass for tea parties.
They used a satnav when exploring the local area, but car games provided entertainment on journeys to Barjac for its antique market. Phones were stashed in bags when out and about, only taken out to pay for fridge magnets and snacks.
An Unexpected Benefit
As the days wore on, the kids stopped asking for their Kindles or to watch TV, and Hannah missed her phone less and less. She felt more relaxed than she had in ages, more present and calm. By the time the week was up, she was almost sad to take her device from its drawer, something totally unexpected. She can't wait to go screen free again.
