NAIROBI, Kenya — A room full of young adults, but not a single phone. There are no frantic scrolling or buzzing notifications—just conversations, board games, and real human connection.
Welcome to the Offline Club, a growing movement where people pay Sh1,583 for the privilege of locking away their phones for two hours.
The event which started in Amsterdam is now taking off in cities like London, Paris, Barcelona, and Dubai.
And here’s the twist: most attendees discover the event through Instagram.
According to the #UK‘s telecoms regulator Ofcom, young Brits aged between 25 and 34 spend an average of four hours and three minutes a day glued to their smartphones.Read more: thedailystar.net/life-living/he… #Health #Fitness #Youth
The Growing Epidemic of Digital Addiction
The fact that young people are willing to pay to disconnect says a lot about the problem.
Screen addiction isn’t just a vague concern anymore—it’s a global crisis.
In the UK, adults aged 25 to 34 spend an average of four hours daily glued to their smartphones.
In an interview with AFP, one of the attendees, 22-year-old Liliann Delacruz, admitted to spending up to 10 hours a day texting, scrolling, and checking social media.
“I don’t realize how bad it is until I force myself to stop,” said Harry Stead, 25, who described handing over his phone as “freeing.”
The issue isn’t just about mental health—it’s about missed opportunities. Missed conversations? Late nights spent mindlessly swiping? It all adds up.
The Offline Movement is Spreading—Will Kenya Be Next?
In Kenya, smartphone addiction is creeping up, especially among Gen Z and older teens.
Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya shows a rapid increase in mobile usage, and experts warn that this could lead to a bigger crisis down the road.
Offline events like these may soon become a necessity. If London is already seeing sold-out digital detox nights, a Nairobi version of #Offline254 or #NairobiOffline might not be far off.
As Kenya embraces digital innovation, there’s a growing need to balance connectivity with real-life experiences.
Because at some point, we’ll all have to ask ourselves: What didn’t we do because we were scrolling?
