Could You Survive 30 Days Without Your Smartphone? The Shocking Truth Revealed!

In a world increasingly dominated by smartphone technology, a unique initiative called Month Offline is gaining traction as a means to help individuals reclaim their attention and social connections. Co-founded by 28-year-old Grant Besner and Danny Hogenkamp, the program aims to provide a structured way for participants to disconnect from their smartphones for 30 days, fostering deeper relationships and a more fulfilling offline life. This innovative approach began in 2025 and has already seen participation from hundreds of individuals across various cohorts.

Before Grant Besner crossed paths with Hogenkamp at a Shabbat dinner in Washington, D.C., he had embarked on a diverse journey through different professions and experiences. His background includes a semester at a religious seminary in Jerusalem, time spent working on a llama farm, and roles as a journalist and educator. Besner’s initial foray into reducing smartphone usage began at New York University, where he purchased a dumb phone to help concentrate on his thesis in anthropology and religion. Hogenkamp, adamantly anti-smartphone for years, used lockable Yondr pouches to create phone-free environments, sparking a conversation between the two men about encouraging friends to step away from their devices.

The result of their discussions was Month Offline, which combines the elements of a support group and a social gathering. Participants swap their smartphones for flip phones, attend weekly meetings, and culminate their experience with a phone-free art gallery showcasing projects developed during the month. While the program is framed around the serious issue of smartphone addiction—57% of Americans admit to feeling addicted—it maintains a lighthearted atmosphere. Weekly meetings feature conversation prompts that encourage reflection on the “frictions and fruits of offline life,” alongside themed challenges like “memory week,” where participants embark on scavenger hunts using disposable cameras.

To assist those participating in Month Offline, the co-founders launched a spin-off company, dumb.co, which offers phones designed specifically for the program. These devices allow unlimited calling and texting, 100 hours of emergency data, and the ability to retain the same phone number, thus easing the transition away from smartphones. Participants pay $24.99 for a Month Offline phone plan, plus $75 for program materials and weekly meetups.

The program has expanded significantly since its inception, with Emily Kennedy, a 30-year-old tech professional, joining the inaugural cohort in New York City. Inspired by a friend’s transformative experience with the program, Kennedy hoped to find more time for personal interests and strengthen her social connections. After switching to a dumb phone, she reported improvements in her sleep, reduced social media usage, and a newfound appreciation for phone calls, stating, “Sometimes it’s hard to get a hold of people that way, but I find that the conversations can be a little more gratifying.”

One key aspect of Month Offline is its non-dogmatic approach to technology. Participants are encouraged to create boundaries around their smartphone usage rather than completely abandon them. Kennedy adopted the concept of an “internet chair,” designating a specific spot in her home for limited online activity. This method harkens back to an era when internet access was more contained, allowing her to engage with the world without being overwhelmed.

Community also plays a crucial role in the program's appeal. In an age where physical social spaces are diminishing, the weekly gatherings at bars or event spaces offer a much-needed opportunity for people to connect. Tim O’Brien, a co-facilitator of Month Offline, underscores the importance of camaraderie, stating, “I think the ultimate antidote to the atomization and isolation smartphones have created is creating community and resistance to that.”

Despite the positive aspects of the program, participants encounter challenges in a smartphone-reliant society. For instance, Patrick Grant, a 29-year-old who joined in January, faced difficulties navigating social situations without a smartphone. He described moments of frustration, such as needing to rely on friends for information when QR code menus were involved. Yet, he also found solace in disconnecting, stating, “I would read, or at the gym, I would just be alone with my thoughts. It was a little bit frustrating, but mostly really fulfilling.”

However, the test for participants often arises after completing the program, as the accountability of the group fades. Grant, who reverted to his smartphone for travel convenience, discovered that the old habits returned quickly. He acknowledged that the structure of Month Offline helped him manage his smartphone use but left him questioning his willpower once he was back to using his device regularly.

Month Offline offers a refreshing perspective on the complexities of modern technology use, providing a digital cleanse that promotes connection without requiring participants to abandon their devices entirely. Grant Besner succinctly captures the philosophy behind the initiative: “They want the agency to still be reachable, but to have the option to not have the internet as an extension of their nervous system.” Ultimately, Month Offline serves as a roadmap for those seeking to balance their digital presence and their real-life experiences, making unplugging not just a possibility, but a communal journey.