Finland has introduced the world’s first phone-free tourist island to encourage ‘digital fasting’ for better mental health. Jenny Southan reports
Visitors to Ulko-Tammio island, located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, are being asked to keep their phones in their pockets this summer to help them disconnect from technology, take a break from social media and enjoy the benefits of nature.
Sari Castrén, psychologist and Research Manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, says: “Switching off your phone, exploring nature and meeting people face to face are bound to boost your mood and well-being. We spend countless hours scrolling our social media feeds, so taking a short break from them means you have more time for new experiences. I’d like to see more initiatives like this that promote digital fasting.”
Mats Selin, an expert in island tourism at Visit Kotka-Hamina, says: “The island of Ulko-Tammio, which is located off the coast of Hamina, will be a phone-free area this summer. We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands.”
However, Terhi Mustonen, psychologist and program manager of the Limitless Gaming and Limitless Social Media programmes at the Sosped Foundation, says: “People are not meant to be glued to screens all the time. Even a short digital fast can be useful and improve our well-being and help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.”
(It’s worth noting that participation in digital fasting is voluntary, and the island is covered by a functioning mobile network.) Visitors can stay overnight on the island in tents or in the cabin maintained by Parks and Wildlife Finland.