NTU launches mobile phone-free campaign

SINGAPORE — A social campaign aimed at addressing mobile phone usage amongst youth has officially been launched today (Dec 20) by students from Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.

The campaign, “Put It On Friend Mode”, works like the “Silent mode” and “Flight mode” found in mobile phones today, and encourages people to put their phone in “Friend mode”, or a face-down position. The campaign was inspired by the groups’ numerous personal experiences in observing fellow youth being distracted by their phones while meeting up with their friends, and its organisers produced a video highlighting this trend.

Ms Lee Yumei, 22, one of the campaign organisers, said: “I see it happening all the time, especially in cafés and restaurants — people hanging out together physically but their spirits are somewhere else — on their phones talking to someone else or browsing social media.”

In a generation of digitally-connected youth, experts have expressed concerns over whether people are slowly getting out of reality with real-world interaction.

“We tend to brush it off or trivialise the negative impacts mobile phone use can have when we’re in the company of our friends and loved ones. We hope that the campaign, which offers the simplest solution — to put one’s phone face-down, will remind many to be a better listener and conversationalist in the company of our friends,” said Mr Malvin Chua, 24.

Mr Chan Jing Hao, 24, added: “With all the buzz surrounding this topic this year, we felt that it was an opportune time to address the issue in the context of Singapore.”

The group hopes that through their campaign, youth in Singapore will make the commitment to give their friends and loved ones their attention while in their company, thereby opening doors to better conversation and better quality time. People may show their commitment through a pledge, which they can make on the campaign website.

The group will be conducting an island-wide event on Feb 22 next year, called “Friend Mode Day”, where everyone is encouraged to put aside their mobile phones while in the company of their friends. Pledgers will be entitled to special dine-in privileges at selected cafes on the day of the event.

Mr Jonathan Tan, 24, said: “We talk about changing our bad habits all the time but never get round to doing it — this will be an opportunity for everyone to make the commitment together, and in the process, rediscover the wonderful experience of having quality, real-world conversation with our friends.”