While most coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi connections to get more customers, Offline Club, a pop-up cafe in Amsterdam, offers a different connection where a Wi-Fi signal is unnecessary.
Upon entering, its members leave their devices behind, grab a coffee, and enjoy a ’90s vibe.
At the beginning of each meeting, there’s a quiet time for reading, crafting, or relaxing with your drink. Then, it becomes social for those who want to chat with others.
Ilya Kneppelhout, who started the Offline Club, said that the club is for people overwhelmed by their busy lives and constant notifications, according to Inside Edition.
He added that their members want to cut down on their social media and screen time and focus on real connections – a simple idea, but participants enjoy it.
One of their members said that being with the club makes you feel present in a way you didn’t expect.
“It felt a bit like travelling in time and made me feel nostalgic about the way bars and cafes used to be because nowadays, those are places we’re only going to with friends and people we already know and spend time doing digital things like work,” another member added.
The founders believe this concept could work in other cities, too. Kneppelhout stated that they want to spread the idea worldwide.
“Right now, we’re getting together with a franchising concept, and we hope to have offline detox events in the entire world for people to reconnect,” He said.
Meanwhile, the internet and computers are deeply integrated into our lives, but the effects of spending too much time online on mental health are still not fully understood.
Many Americans use the internet daily, but excessive use can lead to problems in daily life, potentially indicating addiction, said Addiction Center.
Although internet addiction isn’t officially recognized as a mental disorder, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health is underway to investigate its impact.
Professionals may classify it as an obsessive-compulsive or impulse control disorder, and it’s known by various names like compulsive computer use or internet dependence.
Being addicted to the internet can hurt you in different ways, both in your body and emotions.
It can cause body pains, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, trouble sleeping, eye problems, and weight changes.
Emotionally, it might trigger depression, anxiety, social isolation, dishonesty, aggression, and mood swings.
A 2016 study found that people with internet addiction struggled more with daily tasks like home life, work or school, and socializing in real life.
They also showed higher levels of depression and anxiety. There’s discussion about whether addiction to computers, cell phones, or the internet leads to mental health problems or if it’s the other way around.
Symptoms of ADHD, like difficulty planning and managing time, are often seen in those with internet addiction.
People with this addiction are also more likely to have other disorders that need special attention and treatment.
Given this, the digital detox provided by the Offline Club could be helpful for individuals who feel they spend too much time online.
A digital detox means taking a break from using gadgets like phones and computers that connect to the internet, Newport Academy noted.
It’s a chance to reduce stress and focus more on talking to people. It also helps stop us from becoming too reliant on technology.
When we spend less time on devices, we can enjoy nature, exercise more, and practice mindfulness.
Taking regular breaks from screens helps us balance our time between real-life activities and the digital world.
Ultimately, a digital detox is about stepping back to connect with what really matters.
Research indicates that reducing screen time benefits teens’ mental health by fostering better sleep, stronger relationships, increased creativity, and improved emotional understanding.
Watch Offline Club members enjoy their afternoon coffee, making friends and away from technology:
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