New TUC polling reveals majority of workers say they have experienced surveillance in the past year
Overwhelming support for stronger regulation to protect workers from punitive use of AI and surveillance tech
Post Office scandal must be a turning point on uncritical use of worker monitoring tech, says TUC
Intrusive worker surveillance tech and AI risks “spiralling out of control” without stronger regulation to protect workers, the TUC has warned.Left unchecked, the union body says that these technologies could lead to widespread discrimination, work intensification and unfair treatment.
The warning comes as the TUC publishes new polling, conducted by Britain Thinks, which reveals an overwhelming majority of workers (60 per cent) believe they have been subject to some form of surveillance and monitoring at their current or most recent job.
The TUC says workplace surveillance tech took off during the pandemic as employers transferred to more remote forms of work.
Surveillance can include monitoring of emails and files, webcams on work computers, tracking of when and how much a worker is typing, calls made and movements made by the worker (using CCTV and trackable devices).
Three in 10 (28 per cent) agree monitoring and surveillance at work has increased since Covid – and young workers are particularly likely to agree (36 per cent of 18-34 year olds).
There has been a notable increase in workers reporting surveillance and monitoring in the past year alone (60 per cent in 2021 compared to 53 per cent 2020).
In particular, more workers are reporting monitoring of staff devices (24 per cent to 20 per cent) and monitoring of phone calls (14 per cent to 11 per cent) compared to 2020.
In calling for stronger regulation, the TUC highlights the recent Post Office scandal which saw hundreds wrongly prosecuted for theft and false accounting after a software error – and says it must be a turning point on uncritical use of worker monitoring tech and AI.
Creeping role of surveillance
The creeping role of AI and tech-driven workplace surveillance is now spreading far beyond the gig economy into the rest of the labour market, according to the TUC.
The following sectors have the greatest proportion of workers reporting surveillance:
financial services (74 per cent)
wholesale and retail (73 per cent)
utilities (73 per cent)
The union body warns of a huge lack of transparency over the use of AI at work, with many staff left in the dark over how surveillance tech is being used to make decisions that directly affect them.
The use of automated decision making via AI includes selecting candidates for interview, day-to-day line management, performance ratings, shift allocation and deciding who is disciplined or made redundant.
The TUC adds that AI-powered technologies are currently being used to analyse facial expressions, tone of voice and accents to assess candidates’ suitability for roles.
To combat the rise of workplace surveillance tech and “management by algorithm”, the TUC is calling for:
A statutory duty to consult trade unions before an employer introduces the use of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems.
An employment bill which includes the right to disconnect, alongside digital rights to improve transparency around use of surveillance tech
A universal right to human review of high-risk decisions made by technology
The TUC points out that the government recently consulted on diluting General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as part of its post-Brexit divergence agenda, despite it providing some key protections for workers against surveillance tech.
The EU is currently putting in place laws dealing specifically with the use of AI, whereas the UK does not have anything like this. The TUC says this is yet another example of the UK falling behind its EU counterparts on workers’ rights.
There is significant and growing support among workers for stronger regulation of AI and tech-driven workplace surveillance:
Eight in ten (82 per cent) now support a legal requirement to consult before introducing monitoring (compared to 75 per cent in 2020)
Eight in 10 (77 per cent) support no monitoring outside working hours, suggesting strong support for a right to disconnect (compared to 72 per cent in 2020)
Seven in 10 (72 per cent) say that without careful regulation, using technology to make decisions about workers could increase unfair treatment (compared to 61 per cent 2020).
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Worker surveillance tech has taken off during this pandemic – and now risks spiralling out of control.
“Employers are delegating serious decisions to algorithms – such as recruitment, promotions and sometimes even sackings.
“The Post Office scandal must be a turning point. Nobody should have their livelihood taken away by technology.
“Workers and unions must be properly consulted on the use of AI, and be protected from its punitive ways of working.
“And it’s time for ministers to bring forward the long-awaited employment bill to give workers a right to disconnect and properly switch off outside of working hours.”
“The Big Resignation caused a global shift – employees are less likely now than they ever have been before to stay in their job if they are not content in their role. Both businesses and employees are looking for solutions that suit them respectively.
“Businesses don’t just need to consider their existing employees; they also need to think about the talent of the future.” – Dr John Barrow Dean for Entrepreneurship & Employability, Senior Lecturer (Scholarship) in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen.
British tech innovators PixelMax have warned that the U.K’s biggest employers face an exodus of talent this year if they do not empower their employees and adapt to a rapidly changing workplace landscape.
They believe that the virtual workplace is the solution to stemming the “Big Resignation” flow as a recent survey indicated that only 4% of employees want to return to the office full time and 82% of employees want a hybrid model with 59% ranking a work from home flexibility as the No.1 choice in employee benefits.
The Big Resignation was the hot topic of last year, with record numbers of staff either leaving, walking out of their jobs voluntarily, or opting to work part time as they re-evaluate their work-life balance.
It follows a tumultuous two years of the pandemic, lockdown restrictions and many people’s lives being curtailed, which has forced employees to re-evaluate their work-life priorities, well-being and aspirations.
The implementation of plan B restrictions including WFH policies for employees, yet again reinforces the notion that we need to learn to live with Covid and employers need to re-think how they future proof their businesses and retain their talent.
The tech industry has always been ahead of the curve in terms of workplace culture, but with a massive skills shortage in the tech sector, the workplace landscape has dramatically changed.
A recent report commissioned by London- and Manchester-based leading tech recruitment firm Burns Sheehan found that only 4%of employees polled wanted to return to the office full time and only 14% wanted to work three to four days in the office.
When polled on the Burns Sheehan employee benefits survey, 59% of employees wanted work from home (WFH) flexibility as their No.1 employee benefit over annual bonuses and share options.
This was followed by 25% of those polled wanting a learning and development budget, 22% a clearly defined career path, 19% favouring an annual bonus, 17% wanting childcare flexibility and least important, 12% wanting share options.
During the pandemic, employees were just expected to adapt to a new regime of working fully remotely, with employers not aware of the consequences and underlying issues that would affect their employees.
Many were suffering from Zoom and Teams fatigue, isolation, burnout, disengagement with their office workplace and a lack of social interaction with colleagues.
This in itself brought to the surface many issues of wider mental health aspects and well-being, with many employers not understanding how this was impacting on their workforce.
Many employees complained of not being able to detach themselves from their work and home life and feeling that they were not able to switch off, while others missed the office culture.
The culmination of these issues resulted in the Big Resignation.
Rob Hilton CEO and Co-Founder of PixelMax,said: “Remote working enabled many companies to resume a degree of normality during the lockdown periods, equally, there was a price to pay with regards to employees’ well-being and mental health.
“The Big Resignation is all about employees voting with their feet and making the shift change, choosing who they want to work for, how they want to work and when they want to work.
“In order for business and industry to retain the best talent, they need to rethink the workplace environment. It needs to reflect a modern hybrid of the office and remote working from any location but interconnected within a platform that is engaging to all employees and makes them feel connected to their work colleagues, whether that be in the physical sense in the office or from their remote location.”
This in turn has also had a major impact on UK businesses and how they have to adapt and rethink a new workplace culture; one that will allow them to retain their best talent and also act as a recruiting beacon for new and emerging talent.
Employers need to radically rethink how to manage staff both in an office environment and remotely. Throughout the pandemic, employers were slow to adapt the workplace environment and to understand the wider issues their employees were facing in remote working environments.
If employers don’t act quickly, they will get left behind because hybrid working is expected by employees. If remote or hybrid work isn’t available within your company or organisation, potential recruits are turned off.
Businesses that don’t invest in making hybrid working an enjoyable experience will struggle to attract and retain the best talent as the Burns Sheehan report clearly indicates.
Dr John Barrow is the Dean for Entrepreneurship & Employability, Senior Lecturer (Scholarship) in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen.
He said: “The Big Resignation caused a global shift – employees are less likely now than they ever have been before to stay in their job if they are not content in their role.
“Both businesses and employees are looking for solutions that suit them respectively. Forcing employees into an office five days a week is causing issues and keeping staff fully remote is also causing problems.
“Employees are experiencing ‘Zoom fatigue’ and some feel at a disadvantage when working remotely, missing out on spontaneous conversations and potentially career progression. Hybrid is the best solution for many businesses and staff. For hybrid to work well, companies must invest in platforms that staff find enjoyable to use.
“People love to spend hours on games such as Fortnite, so why can’t this similar culture be adopted in the working world?
“Businesses don’t just need to consider their existing employees; they also need to think about the talent of the future. From a career perspective, graduates entering the job market can have a difficult time as it is, but one of the major challenges is how you onboard new recruits and how new staff members can truly feel part of a team when everyone is working remotely – it’s fine for the people who already have those established relationships, but for someone new this can be really difficult to forge relationships and professional networks.
“As we continue to move forward with a hybrid working model, we need to focus on those in the early stages of their career and how best to engage and train this generation.”
Businesses are no longer restricted by geography when it comes to recruitment. Employees no longer need to live at a commutable distance from work or be based in the city centres.
For some businesses, access to a wider talent pool changes everything in their business model. It now means companies no longer need to be based in city centres either, which historically has always been the norm.
Now companies can have the option of being based in bustling suburbs as connectivity is improved with faster broadband and cellular connectivity with 4G and 5G. Companies now have the ability to attract a much wider talent pool.
Burns Sheehan Co-Founder, Jon Sheehan,said: “The tech hiring market has been the busiest Burns Sheehan have ever seen. I’ve never seen anything like this in the market before; most candidates will have four to five job opportunities and firm job offers on the go within 24 hours.
“This isn’t even about bigger salaries; that’s just a side perk. Employees are much more focussed on their work-life balance and wider aspirations in the working environment.
“This is very much an employees’ market, driven by employees calling the shots. Many are opting for a virtual workplace model, where they have the option to work from home and the office of their choosing, but also still to remain connected to the office environment even whilst working remotely.
“If employers don’t embrace this new model of working, then the ones who have adapted quickly to change will have the commercial advantage of hiring and retaining the best talent.”
Although this can be a daunting thought for some employers, they need to think of it positively. Employers need to understand that employees at their company are there because they’re happy – it’s not just about paying the best salaries; they’re aligned with company values and purpose.
However, in the current climate, employers must focus on company values and work on how this can be reflected in the way staff are treated and what makes them happy, productive and fulfilled in the workplace. Homeworkers should benefit from well-being initiatives too; this isn’t something that can only exist in the office.
Manchester-headquartered tech disruptors PixelMax immediately saw this disconnect between employers and employees and their workplace environment at the start of the pandemic and tackled the issue head-on.
They were one of the first British tech companies to pivot their 3D immersive technology in the early days of the pandemic to create unique virtual workplace platforms and environments for companies.
Shay O’Carroll Co-Founder of PixelMaxsaid: “The software PixelMax have developed aims to separate the work from home environment but maintain the engagement and immersive nature of being in the physical office with colleagues.
“It means we create an experience – regardless of your location – where you walk into the virtual office each morning, have spontaneous conversations with colleagues rather than logging straight onto Teams or Zoom.
“Employees can wander through the virtual office with their own uniquely created avatars, see messages and engage in meetings with their work colleagues. The virtual office creates presence and also an atmosphere / buzz that doesn’t exist in 2D video conferencing platforms. They can even walk over to the Costa point and order a coffee to be delivered to their physical location.
“The virtual workplace encourages a positive culture. Employees can take part in wellness challenges, do workouts, meditate and relax with minigames. Previously, businesses might have offered gym memberships. Now, they could offer an online fitness subscription or a smartwatch.
“Company cultures are evolving, and they will continue to evolve until the end of time. What’s important right now is for business leaders to understand that it is the turn of the employee to dictate how and when they want to work.
“This business evolution is a collaborative process now and listening to your employees’ wants and needs has never been more important. Investing in employees is how cultures should evolve into something positive and beneficial for the business and employees.”
Recently, PixelMax co-founders Rob Hilton, Shay O’Carroll and Andrew Sands (above) outlined their vision for how they see the hybrid work revolution in a ground-breaking thought leadership document.
In this document they outlined the future of the virtual workplace, how that hybrid would take shape in the form of the virtual workplace and how it could emerge alongside a new employee work culture. Entitled “The Virtual Workplace – Enter The Metaverse”,
the thought leadership document outlines its vision for the virtual workplace, including how the office and work culture of the future will adapt to change.
Crucially, the way most businesses approached employee well-being became outdated overnight during the pandemic. Businesses are now looking for new ways to add value to employees when they work remotely.
Tech companies in particular put money into ball pools, slides, table tennis, free food and social spaces. But now a great number of these workers are at home. The well-being initiatives that worked well in the office need to be rethought to add value for the employees. Improving technology and making their workday as seamless and immersive as possible will make the day more enjoyable for employees.
The reality is that if a company isn’t doing it, then its competitors will be.
Crucial to PixelMax’s thinking is creating a workplace culture that is inclusive and diverse, but one which empowers employees, creating an environment that fits in with their work-life balance and aspirations.
It’s about creating a workplace environment that is engaging and fun – whether that is remotely, or in person at the office – and it’s about maintaining connectivity, social interaction and feeling valued. Ultimately this creates a desirable workplace culture for employees, allowing companies to retain their best talent.
Shay O’Carrolladded: “A great source of optimism I have had since co-founding PixelMax is the potential for technology to transform the way we are working and to make it better for everyone.
“Technology should make our lives better; it should bring people together, not push them apart. In addition, the transition to working from home for most of us has allowed us to establish more of a work-life balance. Investing in technology for your workforce that gives your employees the tools to enjoy work is also important.
“The technology PixelMax uses encourages spontaneous interaction and employee well-being using the latest gaming technology.
“This makes work immersive and enjoyable for employees and puts everyone on a level playing field, no matter where they are based. It’s time the world of work learnt from the world of gaming in terms of the immersive team experiences that can now be delivered with the technology we have at our fingertips.
“With remote work, the limits of geography are now off the table, opening yourself up to a wider talent pool. Not only does this make for happier employees, but those who work for you are likely to be more engaged in the work and share your vision.”
The benefits of a virtual workplace are immense, with increased productivity from employees, reduced absenteeism and happier and more productive employees. With increased employee well-being comes higher staff retention and improved performance, as well as an attractive brand culture to work for.
“The Virtual Workplace – Enter The Metaverse”
The PixelMax-authored thought leadership piece is available to the public to view and download here:
The roll out of personal digital devices for every school pupil from P6 to S6 in the Capital, part of the city council’s ‘ambitious and inclusive’ education strategy Edinburgh Learns for Life, is underway.
The programme, being carried out in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council’s strategic technology partner, CGI, will see 27,500 new iPads being issued to pupils/teachers, refreshed iPads for up to 12,000 pupils/teachers and expanding connectivity by providing additional wireless access points in schools.
As well as the personal distribution to pupils, additional iPads will be handed out to P1 to P5 year groups so they can be shared for learning. Staff in early years will be getting 250 new iPads and having 900 iPads migrated.
The roll out for the Empowered Learning programme, which has been funded thanks to a £17.6m investment from the Council’s budget, is due to be completed by the end of this year and also includes a comprehensive programme of professional learning for teachers.
Benefits of the project include: providing equal access to education, personalising learning, improving teacher feedback, preparing students for future working, collaborative on and off-line working and, critically, supporting efforts to raise attainment.
This week, from Monday 24 January, pupils at St Augustine’s RC and Gracemount High Schools will be receiving their devices.
Leith Academy is one of the schools where digital devices have already been distributed. Council leader Cllr Adam McVey and deputy Lord Provost Joan Griffiths visited the school last week.
Head teacher Mike Irving said: “The roll out of digital devices to all P6-S6 young people and staff across Edinburgh’s schools is a significant, positive and exciting development for learning.
“Young people will discover new and innovative ways to engage by using many of the features available through the applications and technology available at their fingertips.
“Digital devices are not there to replace teaching and learning, but to enhance it further so youngsters can engage in learning that is relevant, fun and most importantly impactful.
“Young people know when they are being invested in, and this step from the Council is a significant and sustained investment in the future learning, outcomes and achievements of Edinburgh’s children and young people.”
Shlok Godiyal, S3 pupil at Leith Academy, said: “I think having the iPad will give me greater flexibility in how and when I can work on tasks, topics and assignments. There will be times when I need to log onto Teams sessions or complete work at home, the iPad helps me with this ability to work anytime, anywhere.
“I also think the iPad will open opportunities in learning by using features such as video recording, use of 3D imaging and it will help me with my independent learning and study as I progress into S4, S5 and S6. As young people today we are used to technology in our lives, so this is a good addition to our learning.”
Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great to see the roll out getting underway as the Empowered Learning programme is about both investing in our children and young people and our teachers to maximise the exciting learning opportunities in Scotland’s Capital city.
“We’ve committed £17.5m from our budget so pupils from P6 to S6 can have their own devices and have equal access to learning. This programme opens up the opportunity for pupils to learn in new and exciting ways, brings with it a raft of wider benefits including extra support and professional development opportunities for teachers and is expanding wifi to provide fast and reliable internet access in every school.”
Councillor Alison Dickie, Education Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The roll out meets a key element of our Council business plan which is increasing attainment for everyone and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap.
“Ensuring pupils have their own device means they have personal access to digital learning whether with their teacher in school or at home. “
We want every young person to achieve their fullest potential and the Empowered Learning programme is another tool in the educational toolbox to equip our pupils with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a future that is becoming increasingly digital.”
Tara McGeehan, President, CGI in the UK and Australia said: “CGI is delighted to be working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council to deliver Empowered Learning to pupils and teachers in the capital.
“Empowered Learning provides a learning environment that’s engaging and inspirational. It directly tackles the attainment gap and recognises the key role of educators in delivering a digital classroom.
“Through Empowered Learning, educators can create and tailor lessons to personalise learning, and access new ways of bringing learning to life. Above all, Empowered Learning delivers learning that is rich and rewarding for both pupils and for their parents, as well as providing the highest level of security and safety standards.
“The roll out meets a key element of one of the 15 outcomes and actions from the Council’s three year business plan ‘Our Future Council, Our Future City’: ‘increasing attainment for all and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap’.”
The 1:1 programme reinforces our commitment to becoming one of the world’s ‘smartest cities’ – in 2020 Edinburgh approved a new digital strategy to push forward its ambitions for becoming a sustainable Smart City.
Edinburgh College has launched a new digital care hub, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, designed to provide greater skills and opportunities to health and social care students in the Lothians.
The Edinburgh College Digital Care Hub, located at the College’s Sighthill Campus, will equip students with the transferrable skills required to fulfil a successful career in areas including Health and Social Care, Dental and Pharmacy with a particular emphasis on technology enabled care.
The hub will focus on building students’ digital and practical skills through its state-of-the-art equipment, supporting experiential learning in a purpose-built setting.
It contains a replica medical ward with patient room, toilet and wet room facilities; an infection control and decontamination area; a reflection room; a care at home room; as well as a virtual reality room designed to give students an immersive experience which demonstrates how a patient with dementia experiences day-to-day life.
Within the care hub students have access to realistic patient simulators with true-to-life responsiveness, in a variety of care settings, enabling them to develop patient testing and care skills.
Also key to the role of the digital care hub is embedding the principles of professionalism amongst students and fostering the meta skills required to work in a care environment including communication, nurture, resilience, initiative and leadership.
The new facility hosts the Edinburgh College and University of Edinburgh Social Care Academy which provides an agile pathway to a career in health and social care specifically for school pupils.
As part of the programme, pupils study units in digital skills for health and social care, mental health, the human body, infection prevention and control and safe beginners for health and social care.
After successfully completing the programme, pupils are able to progress on to further studies with the College or university or advance into employment.
The digital care hub was launched during an event attended by representatives from key institutions connected to the College and the new hub, and brought together those with a collective interest in supporting the future of the health and care sector.
Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College Principal and CEO, said: “We are delighted to be launching our Digital Care Hub in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.
“The facility will provide practical learning experiences for pupils and students as well as exposing them to many sector specialisms which they ordinarily might miss out on without having access to specialist equipment in a health and care setting.
“The COVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of our health and care workers across the country and through addressing the national skills gaps in digital enabled care, the Digital Care Hub, through partnership working with industry, is ready to provide a pipeline of future workers equipped with the skills and knowledge required to meet the demands of the sector and population.”
Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to work with Edinburgh College on the Digital Care Hub, which will be an excellent resource for those considering a career within health and social care.
“Harnessing technology to support learning in this way and simulate real-life scenarios in the workplace will enable students to make informed choices about their future, built on their own ambitions and potential.”
Work to provide every school pupil in Scotland with a laptop or tablet has started.Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed discussions with local government are underway to deliver the ambitious commitment, which will benefit 700,000 children.
The Scottish Government are also considering how to deliver consistent digital infrastructure across Scotland’s 2,500 school buildings. The announcement delivers on another commitment for the first 100 days of this government.
Ms Somerville said: “Every child has the right to an education and we believe that means an education supported and enhanced by technology. This as a vital aspect of an education system in the digital age which was clearly demonstrated by the pandemic.
“This is a hugely ambitious programme of work that will build on efforts to tackle digital inclusion during the pandemic. These early talks with Scottish councils are a positive step towards delivering this commitment.”
How to Unplug Your Home for the Ultimate Digital Detox
Technology is a wonderful thing. It’s given us Netflix, online shopping, video games, and social media –– but sometimes you need to take a break from the cat memes and give yourself a digital detox (writes TERESA SIQUEIRA).
With infinite knowledge and endless distraction just a click away, it’s more important than ever to create healthy boundaries with technology. So tune in, turn off, and drop out because we’ve got all the info you need to find that sweet spot between staying connected and getting unplugged.
What is a Digital Detox?
A digital detox is when you disconnect from your TV, smartphone, video games, and social media so you can focus on real-life without the distraction of a screen. Don’t worry—a digital detox isn’t forever! Take a mini-detox after work, read a book on your morning commute instead of scrolling through the latest news, or make Sundays a tech-free day –– do whatever works for you! What matters the most is that you create time for your brain to reset.
The Consequences of Always Being Connected
These days, we’re more connected than ever. When it feels impossible to step away from the tweets, and you can’t stop doom-scrolling the news, you know it’s time for a digital detox. Being connected 24/7 might have you staying up late to play video games, feeling like you’re missing out on the experiences all your friends post about, or getting behind at work because the refresh button isn’t going to hit itself. Disconnecting is an integral part of any self-care routine for anyone who wants to optimize their creativity, productivity and have more energy.
The Negative Effects of Technology on Your Brain
You might not realize it, but too much technology harms your brain. From having a lower stress threshold to disrupting your beauty sleep, our screens are silently altering the way our brains work –– and it doesn’t stop there. Here are some of the negative effects technology has on that wrinkly pink thing between our ears.
Reduces creativity: Technology encourages instant gratification and prevents us from having the patience needed for the more profound thinking skills associated with creativity.
Negatively affects relationships: More time spent on devices means less time spent with the people you love and makes us feel less satisfaction and connection.
Impaired social intelligence: Spending too much time in front of a screen interferes with our ability to learn from successes, failures, and the people around us.
Trouble concentrating: Technology is constantly pulling us in multiple directions at once, making it hard to focus on what’s in front of us. By disconnecting you will also see an increase in your productivity at work.
Disrupts sleeping habits: The blue light screens emit has been proven to disrupt the circadian rhythms that help us sleep at night.
The Benefits of Doing a Digital Detox
Banish the digital distractions and reap the benefits of a techno-free life. Cutting out technology has massive mental health benefits, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel when you aren’t constantly connected. Benefits of a digital detox include:
Enhanced sleep: Without blue light and the temptation to keep scrolling, you’ll get better z’s and have more energy in the morning.
Increased productivity: Less tech means more time to get things done. When you’re not staring at a screen, you’ll have more time to do the things that matter.
Better posture: “Tech neck” is a real thing, and improved posture is a significant benefit to ditching your devices.
Improved relationships: Having more time for your loved ones can only be a good thing. Notice how much closer you feel to the people around you after going tech-free.
More time for hobbies: Going on a digital detox gives you ample time to explore all those hobbies you’d long forgotten.
How to Do a Digital Detox
Give your brain a break! Read up on how to do a digital detox –– we’ve got tips on what to do instead of scrolling, how to get your friends involved, and how to stick to your new detox routine.
Do other activities instead
Harken back to the days of yore and try some tech-free activities. Getting a vacation from technology will offer you a fresh start. Go for a walk, get the family together for a game night, or read a book instead of staring at your phone. Staying active will be a key factor in reducing your screen time. Take up knitting or learn how to bake gourmet desserts.
Establish limits and goals
Each week, make a goal of spending less and less time using technology. Start with a half-hour of tech-free time each day, then increase it to an hour the next week and keep going.
Get your loved ones involved
Get your family involved to make going tech-free into a fun challenge. Check everyone’s smartphone at the end of the week to see who spent the least time looking at their screen –– whoever wins gets to choose their favorite takeout for dinner or pick what to watch on movie night. You can also contact friends and get them involved on the challenge.
Reward yourself
Whenever you’ve accomplished offline time, give yourself an award. Go out for a tech-free date night to your favorite restaurant, or get yourself that thing that’s been on your wishlist for ages. Set up a special ritual for your digital detox, like a spa night.
Types of Digital Detoxes
There are a ton of ways to take a tech break. Pick a couple of methods that work for you and give them a go for at least a week –– feel free to tweak times or alternate days to fit your schedule. Some days you might need to be on your phone or take a video call during a detox period, so roll with the punches and stay flexible.
Disconnect for a period of time
Designate a period of time each day that you’ll go tech-free. During lunch, after work, or before bedtime are all great places to start. Make it part of your routine, then see how you’re feeling after a week. Many people end up expanding their tech-free time because they love how it makes them feel.
Have technology-free meals
Ditching your devices during meals encourages you to not only appreciate the food you’re eating but to enjoy the company you’re in. Unplugging as a family will make meals much more special. Make it a rule that no phones are allowed at the dinner table, turn the TV off, and notice how much fuller your heart and belly feel.
Find a Balance with Technology
Digital burnout is real, and finding a happy medium is integral for living life in the age of the computer. Establishing a healthy relationship with the digital world will help you avoid any risk of suffering from technology addiction. We’ve got a few analog remedies to soothe your digital aches.
Prioritize human connection
We’ve all had that experience where we’re trying to hold a conversation with someone who’s more interested in what’s on their phone than are in the person right in front of them. Always prioritize the people in your life over the content on your phone.
Limit tech time for children
Technology can have a negative impact on children. Give your kids time limits on their digital devices. Use video games as a reward for doing homework and chores. Make sure your kids have a healthy relationship with social media by setting an age limit and making sure they don’t get caught up in comparing their life to the lives of others. To give you further insights, you can find plenty of ways that will guide you on preventing phone addiction for your child.
Find work-life balance
Finding a work/life balance when you work from home is a real struggle. Creating an equilibrium by letting your coworkers know you won’t be available after the workday is done and turn off all your work-related notifications.
Unplugging Your Home
If you find yourself struggling to take a digital detox, try setting up your home to help you succeed. We’ve got some easy-to-implement tips that make disconnecting a cinch.
Use tech to disconnect
Fight technology with technology by turning off your notifications so your digital detox won’t be disturbed by dings and beeps. There are tons of time-limiting apps nowadays that turn off your tech for you or timed cellphone jails that keep your phone locked away for a set amount of time.
Park your devices
Set up a tech station at the front door with a table or drawer with all your chargers. When you walk in the door, plug in your devices so you aren’t tempted to use them. This encourages you and your family to focus on hobbies, books and spending more time with each other.
Go outdoors
Take a walk, go to the lake, or just hang out in your backyard and enjoy the outdoors. Getting outside is one of the best ways to detox from your devices, and it’s an easy activity to get the whole family involved in.
Create a home that helps you disconnect
Set your home up for success. Start by putting up a table in your entryway where you can park your devices, then designate a room where no devices are allowed. Instead of having TVs in the kitchen, living room, and every bedroom, just have one in your entertainment room and call it good.
Create No-tech Zones at Home
Creating no-tech zones is one of the easiest ways to take a digital detox every day. It might sound intimidating to have an area in your home where devices aren’t allowed, but we promise you’ll love the difference it makes in your life.
Create an ‘unplugged’ room
Designate one room in your house that’s free of any digital devices. No TV’s, computers, iPads, or phones allowed. Make it super cozy with couches, pillows, plants, and blankets then bring in anything and everything you love that doesn’t involve a screen. Think books, crossword puzzles, board games, that hobby airplane you’ve been building, or set up a music nook so you can finally learn how to play the guitar.
Leave technology out of your bedroom
Park your phone in the living room overnight to create a quiet bedroom environment. Use an alarm clock instead of relying on your phone to wake you up in the morning and replace your nighttime TV show with a book instead.
Enjoy a techno-free kitchen
Sometimes it’s necessary to open up your phone while you’re cooking to reference a recipe. All the other times, unplug the kitchen and practice mindfulness while making breakfast or enjoying a mid-afternoon snack.
Unplug Your Home While You’re Away
The hidden energy costs of plugged-in appliances could be adding to your electricity bill. Try out these tips to save money while you’re away.
Unplug your devices to improve safety
Keeping all your devices plugged in while you’re away can potentially be a fire hazard. Older electronics, in particular, run the risk of overheating and causing electrical fires, and unplugging them when you go on vacation will not only save you money but give you peace of mind.
Save energy
Save energy by enabling sleep mode on your devices to keep their batteries going for longer. Older appliances are less energy-efficient than newer models, so replace any outdated electronics with modern energy-wise models. You can try to use smart devices that will give you more control and allow you to save energy at home, like smart bulbs or remote thermostats.
Electronics You Should (and Shouldn’t) Unplug
Do: Unplug small kitchen appliances like your coffee maker, microwave, and food processor. If you’re going to be gone for a while, unplug your chargers and entertainment system, too, since they use a lot of energy.
Don’t: Don’t unplug large kitchen appliances like the fridge or dishwasher. Keep powerstrips, carbon monoxide detectors, and the fire alarm plugged in. You can keep your high-efficiency electronics plugged in, since they’re unlikely to zap a ton of energy while not in use.
A daily, weekly, or monthly digital detox helps you stay connected to your physical surroundings, reduces stress and anxiety, and gives you time to enjoy your family, nature, or a hobby. These tips will help you find just the right balance for you.
Adults in Scotland that live with their partner pinpoint leaving lights on as the thing that shocked them most when they moved in together
The survey was commissioned by BT as part of their commitment to combatting climate change and showing how tech can help the nation live more sustainably
Switching to an electric vehicle, recycling more and switching to a renewable energy provider among the top ‘climate resolutions’ Scots would make to fight climate change
BT’s Smarter Living Challenge recently uncovered the powerful impact UK households can have on their carbon emissions by using technology to support simple sustainable lifestyle changes
Leaving the lights on, switching the heating on unnecessarily and putting recycling in with general waste topped a list of things that shocked Scots about their partner when they moved in together, research has revealed.
The survey, commissioned by BT, showed that these more environmentally friendly concerns trumped the more traditional gripes, such as snoring, not tidying up after themselves and chewing loudly.
The findings suggest a trend of couples becoming more environmentally conscious: a third of those questioned in Scotland believe they and their partner are doing more to live a greener life at home when compared to twelve months ago, prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, while almost a half of Scots (46%) encourage each other to be more sustainable.
Living a greener life has also brought almost a quarter (22%) of couples closer together. However, it is not always smooth sailing: More than half (55%) of those questioned in Scotland admitted that they have had a disagreement with their other half about the environment.
While couples appear to be becoming more aware of environmental issues at home, the majority still think there is room for improvement, as just 41% believe they and/or their partner are sufficiently eco-conscious.
When asked which ‘climate change resolution’ they would make to live a greener life, recycling as much as possible emerged as the top choice (14%). Switching to an electric vehicle (13%) and only using the heating while necessary (12%) completed the top three, closely followed by switching to a renewable energy provider (11%).
As part of efforts to combat climate change, BT is helping to equip the nation with the digital skills needed to be more sustainable at home. The company aims to provide households with the knowledge and motivation needed to make small but sustainable lifestyle changes and is highlighting the important role technology has in making the household shift to sustainable living easier.
Just under a half of Scots questioned (43%) already have a smart technology appliance in their home, with nearly two thirds (63%) believing that advances in smart tech are helping their household to be more environmentally friendly.
Among the most popular appliances were a smart meter (56%), smart lighting (27%) and smart thermostats (37%).
Among those that don’t use smart tech, cost (37%), the belief that it can’t make a substantial difference (20%) and a perceived lack of understanding on how it works (20%) were among the top barriers to installing it at home.
BT recently announced the results of its Smarter Living Challenge, a partnership with environmental charity, Hubbub which highlighted the powerful impact UK households can have on their carbon emissions by using technology to support simple sustainable lifestyle changes.
The project found that when seven small, but sustainable actions were combined with technology, an average household could save £938 on their bills and up to 1.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per year if adopted on a sustained basis.
Switching to smart LED lighting, for example, could save 65kg of CO2 emissions per household, while changing to a renewable energy tariff can save the average household around £270 on bills.
Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact & Sustainability Officer at BT, said: “In the run up to the COP26 climate talks later this year, we want to show people up and down the country that it’s not just politicians and corporations who can make a difference in the fight against climate change, everyone has a part to play.
“At BT, we connect for good. Our technology, networks and products will underpin many of the solutions needed to become a net zero carbon economy and will act as a catalyst for a smarter, greener future. That’s why we would encourage all of our customers, colleagues and communities to make their own ‘climate resolutions’ because we know when small sustainable steps are supported by technology, they can make a huge impact.”
BT has led on climate action for three decades and has pledged to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2045.
In 2020, BT completed the switch to 100% renewable electricity worldwide, which means citizens who buy mobile or broadband from EE, BT or Plusnet are now supplied by networks that are powered by 100% clean power.
Starting this week, world’s first and still Europe’s biggest Edinburgh Science Festival celebrates women in STEM with a large-scale street art trail around the Scottish capital featuring 9 locations, each devoted to a different STEM professional whose passion and knowledge contributed to the world of science, technology, engineering and maths.
The Trail is a visual representation of Edinburgh Science’s commitment to championing women in science and science communication and the fight against the under-representation of women in STEM and the stereotypes that persist, despite many long-standing initiatives to boost young women’s interest. Edinburgh Science is proud to present a Festival where 60% of guest speakers are women.
Women in STEM Street Art Trail, supported by Edina Trust, showcases the inspiring achievements of:
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE (Lothian Street), the youngest girl to complete A-levels in computing at the age of 11, Oxford graduate at 20 and founder of Stemettes, an organisation dedicated to inspiring and supporting young women and non-binary people into STEM careers.
Helen Sherman OBE (Citadel Youth Centre), first British Astronaut who in 1991 flew on a Soyuz rocket up to the Soviet, Mir Space Station. During her eight days in space, she conducted medical, agricultural and materials and Earth observation work.
Talat Yaqoob (WHALE Arts), award-winning Scottish campaigner, writer and activist passionate about improving women’s access to STEM subjects and politics.
Natalie Duffield (North Edinburgh Arts), a digital innovator who, following a personal tragedy, decided to not go to university but work and earn – she is now the CEO of InTechnology SmartCitie who provides free WiFi in central Edinburgh, which is a paid for by the company meaning the Council doesn’t have to spend a penny.
Lorna Prendergast (The Space / Broomhouse Hub), a 90-years-old Melbourne University graduate with master’s in ageing who now continues her investigation into the correlation between music and dementia symptom relief via a music therapy trial which started in July 2020.
Dr Aline Finger (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh), a conservation geneticist and molecular ecologist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, focusing on the conservation of rare, threatened or important plant species in Scotland.
Dr Helen Senn (Edinburgh Zoo), Head of Conservation and Science at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Overseeing all 23 wild conversation projects and working as a conservation genetics specialist, Helen supports reintroduction projects for critically endangered species, such as the dama gazelle and the addax.
Dr Kathy Sullivan (Dynamic Earth), first American woman to complete a spacewalk (1984, Space Shuttle Challenger), the first woman to travel to the bottom of the ocean (2020, Challenger Deep in the Marian Trench, seven miles below the surface). After the dive, Kathy made a phone call to the International Space Station, marking the two extremes of human exploration.
Zarina Ahmad (Summerhall), climate justice and race equality advocate who has been dedicated to increasing participation and improving funding access for under-represented groups.
These inspiring, large-scale portraits have been produced by artists Shona Hardie – known for her portraits of the late DJ Andy Weatherall and the legendary Leith figure Arthur Williams – and Kerry Wilson.
Festival Director Amanda Tyndall said: “Promoting opportunities for women in STEM is a topic very close to my heart and this year not only is our programme packed with amazing women talking about fascinating science but the street art trail takes this message to the streets of Edinburgh and, we hope, will play a small part in inspiring the next generation.”
Artist Shona Hardie puts the finish touches to the portrait of Natalie Duffield at North Edinburgh Arts Centre
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE said: “Two of my favourite things about being a woman in STEM: I can dream something up and create it and I can genuinely solve problems for others using my STEM knowhow.”
Dr Helen Senn, RZSS Head of Conservation and Science Programmes said:“It is always exciting to showcase our charity’s worldwide wildlife conservation work as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival and a real honour to be featured in the Women in STEM Street Art Trail this year.
“Recovering species on the edge of extinction is only possible through collaboration and, with our planet facing an extinction crisis, it is more important than ever before to find ways to break down barriers and empower more people from a wide range of backgrounds to gain the skills needed to protect animals across the globe.”
Festival Director Amanda Tyndall with the portrait of Natalie Duffield at the North Edinburgh Arts centre
Geraldine Marais, Trust Secretary at Edina Trust said: “Edina Trust is proud to have sponsored the Edinburgh Science Festival since 2005. Edina’s main aim is to enhance primary science teaching and learning across the UK by supporting schools, science providers, and science festivals.
“Edina views science as a key part of children’s learning from the start, to make sense of the world we live in, and to provide opportunities to pursue a career in the world of STEM in our ever-changing world. Part of this includes encouraging girls to consider a future in STEM by supporting their learning through hands-on science activities at an early age.”
The Festival’s 2021 line-up features an inspiring line-up of female STEM professionals, authors and explorers from around the world, including, among many others, such names as:
Prof. Linda Bauld who is an adviser to the Covid-19 Committee of the Scottish Parliament;
astronautical engineer Cassandra Mercury;
Mya-Rose Craig, an 19 year old prominent British Bangladeshi birder, conservationist and environmentalist whose blog clocked 5 million views;
quantum gravity, theoretical physics expert Dr Sonali Mohapatra who is part of the technical team of the upcoming ROKS mission which will be launched in 2022;
and Prof. Heidi Larson, founder of the Vaccine Confidence Project and the recipient of this year’s prestigious Edinburgh Medal.
All these events, alongside the Trail, constitute the Festival’s ambitious Women in STEM programme which is dedicated to the memory of Joan Davidson who led Edinburgh Science’s Learning programme for 12 years and stood out for her dedication to inspiring young people to explore, study and develop a lifelong love of science and technology.
Edinburgh Napier launches spin-out to tackle growing ransomware threat
Tech entrepreneur Pete Jaco has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of a University spin-out geared to tackling the multi-billion pound ransomware market.
MemCrypt was spun out of research at Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing with substantial backing from Scottish Enterprise, who supported the launch and early-stage funding requirements.
Jaco now takes the reins as the business steps up plans to launch innovative products to help customers and technology partners combat the threat posed by cyber criminals.
The co-founder of the Scottish Tech Army, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to charity during the Covid-19 response, Jaco joins Chief Technology Officer Dr Peter McLaren (above) on the MemCrypt management team.
Edinburgh Napier’s Professor Bill Buchanan will continue to support MemCrypt as the company’s Chief Scientist while Dr Owen Lo will take the role of Technology Lead.
Ransomware – malware that encrypts files, giving the attacker scope to demand a ransom to restore access – is increasingly becoming the attack of choice for cyber criminals as it has a high chance of financial return coupled with a low chance of detection, and the threat is increasing daily.
MemCrypt, which follows earlier Edinburgh Napier cybersecurity ventures ZoneFox, Symphonic Software and Cyan Forensics in making the leap from research lab to the market, built early traction through its pre-launch involvement with Innovate UK’s CyberASAP programme accelerator.
MemCrypt also benefited from intensive, hands-on support, guidance and advice through Scottish Enterprise’s High-Growth Spinout Programme as it developed its value proposition, business plan and investment strategy. It also secured via the programme early-stage grant funding and, more recently, a substantial six-figure investment in the form of a Convertible Loan Note.
Jaco has worked in the UK SME start-up industry for over 20 years as CEO, non-executive director, advisor, and chair, supporting companies including Becrypt, Digital Shadows, Immense and CyberOwl.
He is also a member of the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Culture, Media and Sports funded London based cyber security accelerator, The London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement (LORCA) and serves as a board advisor to the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate’s CivTech GovTech innovation programme. He is also a member of the Scottish Cyber Innovation Hub advisory group managed by ScotlandIS Cyber, Scotland’s Cyber cluster.
Jaco said of his appointment: “I am delighted to join the MemCrypt team to help bring some truly innovative technology to market to help organisations across all sectors address the growing threat of ransomware.
“It is a privilege to work with Bill Buchanan and the Edinburgh Napier team to launch their fourth cyber security spin-out. We welcome the financial support of Scottish Enterprise which will help us to establish the company, build our first product demonstrators and accelerate our market engagement.”
Victoria Carmichael, director of Strategic Investments at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Edinburgh Napier has a track record of producing successful cybersecurity spinouts. We’ve backed MemCrypt and its predecessors with advice and investment and believe the company is poised to repeat that success under Pete’s leadership.
“Scotland’s spin-outs and start-ups will make a huge contribution to the country’s economic recovery. Having created a package of early-stage support to prevent their development being derailed by the pandemic, Scottish Enterprise continues to play a leading role in helping them fulfil their potential.”
Fiona Mason, Head of Business Engagement and IP Commercialisation at the University, said: “I’m delighted to see this level of support being given by Scottish Enterprise to one of our newest spin-outs. We value the recognition that SE has given and look forward to supporting the team as the company develops further.”
The UK’s biggest mobile providers have fallen short on value for money and are being outperformed by smaller rivals who piggyback on their networks, according to Which?’s annual customer satisfaction survey.
During the pandemic, more people than ever have turned to their phones and technology as a way to keep in touch with family and friends.
The Big Four mobile providers – O2, EE, Vodafone and Three – serve nearly nine in 10 UK customers.
However, in Which?’s annual customer satisfaction survey, smaller providers that use the Big Four’s networks managed to outdo them across the board – including on value for money, customer service and network reliability.
O2 scored the highest of the Big Four providers and earned joint fifth place out of 15 providers, alongside Utility Warehouse.
It received a high rating for ease of contact, but its customers considered it below average for value for money. Only a quarter (23%) rated it as being ‘excellent’ in this area.
However, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile, which all piggyback on O2’s network, triumphed over their larger rival in Which? rankings. GiffGaff came in first place and earned strong ratings in several categories with 91 per cent of customers saying they’d recommend it to a friend.
Tesco Mobile came in joint second place with Sky Mobile and SMARTY. Both Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile scored higher than O2 on value for money – an area all of the Big Four providers fell short on in our survey.
EE and Vodafone came in the bottom half of the rankings. Both EE and Vodafone performed poorly on value for money. This is perhaps unsurprising given that 7 per cent of their customers received incorrect or unexpectedly high bills – the highest across all the providers.
Three earned the lowest score of the Big Four providers. Value for money and network reliability were key weak points for Three.
Three customers were the most likely to experience network outages lasting more than one whole day (8%) and one in ten (10%) experienced unexpected or unreasonable price hikes.
One Three customer responding to Which?’s survey said that a universal change in tariff had made it more expensive for them to use the provider despite having a substantial balance to use up.
Like O2, Three was beaten by a smaller operator using its network. SMARTY is owned by Three and is a new entrant to Which?’s survey at joint second place.
The highest-scoring mobile providers are eligible for Which? Recommended Provider (WRP) status, which also requires providers to offer reasonably priced contract deals, including Sim-only.
Ofcom now requires all providers to notify customers when their telecoms contracts come to an end. Which? encourages consumers to compare the deals available when their contract comes to end – even if they’re planning to stay with their current provider – to ensure they aren’t overpaying.
Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which?, said: “Our research found that the biggest mobile providers are being outshone by their smaller rivals.A provider should not only give you good network reliability but also value for money and customer support when you need it.
“If customers are out of contract but happy with the service they’re receiving, they should try negotiating a new deal but if all else fails it might be time to switch.”
Read more about Which?’s mobile switching service:
