How Weybridge residents are balancing screen time and social time in a digital world

Technology is ubiquitous in daily life. From working from home to watching TV, many residents are keen to understand how to balance their use of technology with social and personal interactions.

Digital leisure and the at-home shift

At the same time, digital entertainment remains a key part of modern life. Streaming films, browsing content, or engaging with online platforms has become a common way to relax, particularly after a busy day. Some residents also point to the growing variety of online leisure options from casual games to checking results or offers on platforms such as Lottoland as part of this shift toward more flexible, at-home entertainment. Internet in UK households (ONS) Over the last decade the Open Networks Statistics (ONS) have provided a yearly snapshot into internet habits across the UK, including at household level. The findings reveal a stark increase across all demographics for screen usage. What sets households in Weybridge apart is that rather than discussing ways to reduce screen time, residents are instead considering the best ways to make the most, and the most meaningful, use of it.

Younger residents and the pressure of social platforms

The RSPH Status of Mind report found that heavy social media use is linked to anxiety and lack of sleep in young people. Parents in Weybridge and other affluent areas across the country may often be unaware that there is a growing body of research aimed at families around managing screen time – in particular around nocturnal screen use. Following on from the recommendations within the NHS Guideline on physical activity for health – which includes the reduction of sedentary behaviour and replacing it with more physical and active behaviour – there is a strong case that families taking advantage of green spaces will be hugely beneficial, such as visiting Elmbridge Leisure Centre or exploring and enjoying the beautiful riverside area around Weybridge. The other thread that ran through the conversation was that of digital wellness. Several writers encountered in the course of this work – including some published by Iteracy Ltd – have expressed concerns about how individuals can be affected by screen-based technologies and how, even for those who are fairly comfortable and competent with technology, these technologies can cause subtle and insidious effects on mental wellbeing.

Older residents and staying connected

While for some older residents in Weybridge it is difficult to envisage a world without technology, for many more there is much work still to be done. Age UK’s research into technology and loneliness showed that for many in later life, new technology could play an important role in reducing loneliness and providing feelings of connection and friendship, especially for those who are increasingly living and feeling isolated within their homes. Through the use of new video calling apps, social networking, and online community forums and websites such as Facebook, members have reported being able to maintain and even improve some of the social connections that might otherwise have broken down because of feelings of loneliness and isolation. “The more people hear about it, the more they seem to think that technology is there to replace friendship rather than to assist existing friendships,” said Linda Henderson of DigiFest, a campaign aimed at promoting digital inclusion for older people. She and colleagues try to get as many people as possible into Weybridge Library and coffee shops to meet up and access technology in person.

Finding a workable balance

There is no definitive answer to this question. Intentionality appears to be key, and at least from the available data, residents who set their own rules, engage in hybrid socialising, and monitor how they feel about technology appear to achieve the best balance of life in Weybridge. In a town as seemingly full of life as Weybridge, with ample opportunities to socialise and get involved within the Borough, residents have all the tools at their disposal to achieve this goal.