Mobile phones are indispensable even in summer. You share your experiences, stay in touch, take photos, look for accommodation, use navigation, or simply scroll through whatever content comes your way. And before you know it, the open apps, the entertaining but ultimately skippable videos, and the incoming messages start taking over your free time. Today, lightning-fast mobile internet is available almost everywhere in the country, making it convenient – and tempting – to spend more time on your phones. But summer is also about taking a break, so why not try and give both yourself and your phone some time to switch off?
We know what to do, but we still don’t do it
Research commissioned by Yettel and conducted by Impetus Research found that 35% of respondents feel they have too much screen time. The data suggests this assessment is realistic: 14% of 18–69-year-olds say they spend more than nine hours a day using digital devices on a typical weekday, while one in ten spends seven to eight hours a day.
Nearly half (49%) of those surveyed have already heard of ‘digital detox’ – the voluntarily limitation of screen time. Six in ten respondents (61%) feel they should reduce the amount of digital content they consume, while roughly the same proportion (60%) plan to change their habits in the next three months.
Among those who feel the need to cut back, the main reasons are to improve their sleep quality (40%) and get more sleep (38%), while one in three (35%) would like to reduce mental fatigue. Nearly three in ten (29%) people considering a digital detox would like to spend more time with their family, while one in five (20%) would like to improve their work-life balance. The latter is particularly important to respondents aged 18–29. The same proportion (20%) would like to avoid bad news, while only 8% of those affected by relationship problems would reduce their use of digital devices for this reason.
On a positive note, 38% of respondents have already tried digital detox, most of them (22% of all respondents) on more than one occasion. Those who have tried it typically put their digital devices away only for short periods, such as before going to bed (18%) or for a few hours (29%). One in six respondents (16%) has gone without their device for a full day, while one in three of those who have tried digital detox (33%) has done so for a longer period.
You don’t have to give up everything – just use it more wisely and mindfully: tips and tricks
A digital detox doesn’t necessarily mean giving up screens altogether. It’s about making conscious choices – using your devices on your own terms, rather than letting them control you. The most effective approach is to take small, gradual steps, spend less time using your devices and introduce new habits that fit your lifestyle. A few simple tips that can help:
• Decide what you want to change. Less social media? Putting your phone away in the evening before bed? Taking regular breaks at certain times of the day? Setting aside specific phone-free times – during breakfast, a walk or dinner – can be surprisingly easy to build into your daily routine.
• Create “phone-free” zones! Keep your phone out of the bedroom – a simple alarm clock works just as well.
• Try the “first and last hour of the day” approach: don’t reach for your phone first thing after waking up, and put it away during the last few minutes before bed. This can help you start and end the day in a more balanced way.
• Disable notifications, alerts and push messages. Often, you only intend to check one notification, but then you take a look at your messages or Instagram feed – and suddenly realise you’ve been scrolling for half an hour.
• Find alternative things to do during your breaks. It’s easier to resist the temptation when you have something else to turn to.
• It’s easier when you do it together – with friends, your partner or family. You don’t have to resist the temptation alone, and a shared commitment can feel more like an experience than a sacrifice.
The 20 August long weekend is a great opportunity to give it a try. A few days may be enough to discover what it feels like when your phone isn’t the first and last thing you check each day. Fast mobile internet will always be there when you need it, and your notifications can wait. Don’t let them get in the way of enjoying the moment.
An online survey conducted jointly by Yettel and Impetus Research among the Hungarian population aged 18–69. The sample is representative of the target population by gender, age group, education level, type of residence and statistical region. Sample size: 1,000 respondents. Fieldwork: December 2025