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This podcast is designed to give English students extra practice by discussing events, history, culture and language.
Taking a Digital Detox – Phrasal Verbs with Technology A2+
Hello and welcome to today’s VivaLing podcast. Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you turned off your phone for a whole day? For many people, the answer is simple: never.
Today we are talking about something called digital detox. This means taking a break from phones, computers, and social media. Many people are trying this because they feel tired of always being online. But we’re not only talking about digital detox today. We’re practicing some phrasal verbs, like turn off and on and log in and out.
The problem in today’s world is too much screen time. Today, many people start their day with technology. They turn on their phones in the morning. They log in to email or social media. They check messages again and again during the day. Some people look at their phones more than 100 times a day. Technology is useful, of course. It helps us work, communicate, and learn. But sometimes it is difficult to stop. Many people say they want to log out of social media or turn off their phones earlier in the evening, but it is not easy. Why? Because apps are designed to keep our attention. So what exactly is a digital detox, you ask? A digital detox means taking time away from technology.
For example, a person might:
Turn off their phone for a few hours
Log out of social media for a weekend
Or decide not to turn on their computer after work
Some people even go on digital detox holidays, where there is no internet or phone signal. The goal is simple: spend more time in the real world.
Why do it? Here’s why. Many people say they feel less stress after a digital detox. When we are always online, our brains are very busy. We read messages, watch videos, answer emails, and check notifications. But when we log out and turn off our devices, we can relax more. People often use this time to:
go for a walk
read a book
talk with friends
or simply enjoy quiet time
Some people say they also sleep better when they turn off their phones before bed.
So, the big question really is, “Is it possible?”
Of course, most people cannot completely stop using technology. We need to log in to work systems, answer emails, and communicate with colleagues, but a digital detox does not have to be extreme. You can start with small steps.
For example:
Turn off notifications during dinner
Log out of social media at night
Wait one hour after waking up before you turn on your phone
Small changes can make a big difference.
Now, you heard a lot about turning on and off electronic devices, but this phrasal verb can be used for more than just digital technology. What are some other things you can turn on and off?
Some examples? The faucet in the kitchen, a garden hose or even the electricity (.
What about logging in and out? Can you think of other things people commonly log in and out of?
Did you think of a bank account or an employee clock-in system – the kind of system that tells your employer when you start and finish work?
Your homework: Write about a typical day for you – either school or work day. Use the phrasal verbs to log in and out and to turn on and off in your writing and be honest about your digital technology use. Was it shocking for you? Tell it to your VivaLing coach or family member.
In conclusion, what do you truly think? Could you log out of social media for one whole weekend? Think about it. Maybe a short digital detox is exactly what you need.