Yettel, a Bulgarian telecommunications company, has launched a Christmas campaign supported by six popular local personalities: Slavena Vutova, Mari Konstantin, Tea Minueva, Naum Shopov, Georgi Blazhev, Alexander Sano, and Vanya Dzhaferovich. The campaign, titled “The Real Connection Starts When You Leave Your Phone,” encourages mindful technology use and balances digital life with real-life experiences, urging people to reduce screen time and focus on loved ones during the holidays.
Boian Ivanovich, Director of Corporate Communications at Yettel Bulgaria, believes that even inspiring a small portion of people to prioritize genuine offline moments, not only during this Christmas but also in the future, would be a significant success. The campaign aims to spark a more extensive conversation about responsible technology use.
Slavena Vutova, Miss Bulgaria 2006, resonates with the campaign, acknowledging that devices often mediate communication but can also hinder face-to-face interaction. A recent survey by agency “Arbitral,” commissioned by Yettel, found that over 40% of Bulgarians use mobile devices for more than 4 hours daily, with half of them exceeding 6 hours. Habit (41%) and work demands (37%) are the primary reasons for excessive usage.
Tea Minueva and Naum Shopov encourage participating in the campaign to achieve a balanced lifestyle and enjoy precious moments with loved ones. Positively, around one-third of Bulgarians have tried to reduce their screen time, with about 30% reporting success. Mari Konstantin, despite her tech-integrated work, prefers quality time with her family over screen-based interactions.
The campaign highlights that spending time with close ones significantly reduces the urge to engage with electronic devices. Actor and host Alexander Sano reminisces about the era when phones had cords and encourages maintaining eye contact during conversations. 76% of survey participants are likely to limit their smartphone use during Christmas to spend more time with family and friends.
Giorgi Blazhev and Vanya Dzhaferovich stress the importance of human connection over technological substitutes. For more information about the campaign, visit Yettel’s website and the social media profiles of the supporting personalities.
Title: Six Popular Figures Urge Us to Leave Our Phones Aside for the Holidays
In the spirit of the festive season, several prominent figures have come together to encourage us to take a break from our phones and engage more meaningfully with our loved ones. Here are six such influential individuals who have echoed this sentiment:
1. Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
Prince Harry, in his Netflix docuseries "The Harder They Fall," spoke about the importance of disconnecting from technology, especially during the holidays. He emphasized the need to focus on what truly matters – family, friends, and personal well-being. "It’s so important not to get stuck in phone mode or social media mode," he said, encouraging everyone to "turn your phone off, have real conversations, and truly be present."
2. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook (Meta)
Sheryl Sandberg, in a Facebook post, shared that she and her family have a "No Phones at Dinner" rule, a practice she encourages during the holidays. She believes that unplugging allows us to be more present and engaged with our loved ones. Sandberg suggests setting aside specific times to check and respond to messages to minimize distractions during quality time.
3. Oprah Winfrey, Media Executive and Philanthropist
Oprah Winfrey, in an interview with The New York Times, shared her thoughts on the digital detox. She advocates for learning to "just be" without constantly reaching for our phones. Winfrey suggests carving out small moments of silence and stillness every day, a practice that can be particularly beneficial during the busy holiday season.
4. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook (Meta)
Mark Zuckerberg, in a Facebook post on the benefits of taking a break from technology, guruavled his 2021 challenge was to focus more on his family and personal relationships. He encouraged others to consider "Year of Relationships" challenges, starting with smaller commitments like scheduling weekly check-ins with important people in your life or taking breaks like aiada from technology."
5. Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge
Prince William, in an interview with the BBC, discussed the importance of setting boundaries with technology. He advocated for creating "technology-free" spaces and times, especially during quality time with family and friends. He stressed the need to find a balance between technology and face-to-face interactions, particularly during the holidays.
6. Jane Goodall, Primatologist and Anthropologist
Jane Goodall, in an interview with Mindful magazine, discussed the importance of mindful living and disconnecting from technology. She encourages everyone to take a break from their phones and other devices to connect with nature and engage in self-reflection. She believes that it’s during these quiet moments that we can reconnect with ourselves and find inner peace.
As we approach the end of the year and the holiday season is upon us, let’s take a cue from these prominent figures and make a conscious effort to leave our phones aside. Let’s focus on the people we’re with, engage in meaningful conversations, and create lasting memories. After all, as Prince Harry aptly put it, "We might just miss what’s right in front of us if our heads are always looking down."
Happy Holidays!
