In contrast with the woke Big Tech giants, at Unplugged, we aren’t here to make decisions for you, to restrict your free speech or to manipulate your worldview. We want you to have total freedom to say what you want, to use the apps you choose, and to seek out information and news that opens your mind and expands your opportunities.
When we think about the interplay between technology and personal freedom, sometimes it makes sense to zoom out and take in the full landscape with a birdseye view.
The Smartphone is a Tool of Freedom
Smartphones make the world smaller. These devices allow us to share information and interact with others in real-time, regardless of geographical distances. Whether it's sending a quick message or participating in a live video chat, the immediacy of smartphone communication transforms how we stay connected and exchange ideas.
Smartphones raise the standard of living. In emerging economies, these benefits are historic and the age of mobile information has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
In late January and for most of February, my wife visited Nicaragua with two of our youngest children. They spent almost four weeks in the country to more fully immerse in the culture and daily life and to practice their Spanish speaking. Our family last visited Nicaragua in 2018, and my wife reported one of the changes she observed versus seven years ago is the increasingly visible adoption of smartphones.
Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. This is a country where rebar for a construction project can still be delivered in a horse-drawn wagon.
Horse-drawn construction supplies delivery. Credit: Valerie Harmon
Yet, even in this country where official nominal GDP is about $2600 per year per capita and purchasing power parity (PPP) is almost 3X that at $7600 per year (and where the government trends authoritarian), the market for smartphones is growing faster than the overall economy. The benefits of smartphone adoption are clear. Mobile technology drastically reduces the cost of communicating with family and friends domestically and internationally, bringing significant emotional, educational and financial benefits.
Granada, Nicaragua. Credit: Rebecca Todd, iStock
As the mobile revolution matures, it enables individuals and firms to improve agricultural and labor market efficiency. Nicaragua is highly dependent on international remittances. As with other emerging-market regions, smartphones have facilitated the development of mobile money ecosystems, allowing people to make and receive payments and send money to their families at a lower cost and more seamlessly. This is especially beneficial in countries with poor infrastructure. Mobile money services have also been shown to reduce theft risks and create a digital transaction history that can be used to qualify for credit, leading to higher business growth, productivity, and income.
Independence versus Dependence
In advanced economies, like the United States and Canada, and since the release of the Apple iPhone in 2007 and even the mobile devices that preceded it, mobile smartphone technology has changed every aspect of our lives. Yet, it comes with a dark side.
Despite the convenience, the constant availability of smartphones sometimes leads to a preference for digital communication over face-to-face interactions, potentially impacting social skills and genuine relationships. In teens and children in particular, the use of smartphones has been linked to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Addiction, cyberbullying, exploitation, surveillance and manipulation have all become part of the smartphone package for many people. These issues exacerbate social problems by leading to social withdrawal and a lack of social skills development.
To overcome these challenges, we have to take back control and assume personal responsibility for the devices we choose to purchase and for the apps we choose to use. With the ubiquity of smartphones and a huge range of price points, almost anyone can own one. So, in wealthier countries, balancing how we manage our device usage with real world interactions and activities is ultimately an individual decision and more grounded in self-discipline than in cost.
Unplugged and the UP Phone can be part of the solution. We stand for independence from big technology and personal responsibility in helping you make better decisions and form healthier habits in your relationship with technology.
Our customers are feeling the difference. In response to a survey we sent to customers in late 2024 and on our social feeds, we receive many responses like this:
"When I flip the switch, I know it's 'off' off. Not maybe, not sometimes, but actually, really, physically disconnected. Certainty is worth more than all the fancy features and slick UI. We want to be treated like adults, not spoiled children and certainly not cows to be milked."
“I purchased this device for its security and privacy features. Yes, the convenience of using mass amounts of apps isn't the same as Apple or Android, but I'd rather be secure than have Candy Crush on my phone.”
"It is nice to know that I am not being data-mined for everything I do on my phone. Not getting pop ads or directed to other sites all the time is great. Also, I feel better for not being on Google's radar 100% of the time."
"This phone has redefined the term 'peace of mind.' I can't fathom purchasing any other brand ever again."
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Actionable Insights for Improving Your Relationship with Technology
Establish clear guidelines and expectations: Setting clear rules for technology use keeps you in control. This includes defining when and how technology should be used.
Beware of potential risks: Awareness of the risks associated with smartphone use, such as social media addiction, misinformation, cyberbullying, and physical health issues, can encourage responsible use.
Monitor and limit access: Restricting access to certain websites and applications can prevent exposure to harmful content and reduce the risk of addiction. This isn’t advice just for youth and teens. Adults are just as susceptible. The Liberty Firewall on the UP Phone includes settings to block adult content and pornography or gambling content.
Encourage regular breaks: Taking breaks from technology can mitigate physical and mental health issues like eyestrain, sleep deprivation, and anxiety. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for a set period followed by a short break, can be beneficial.
Promote mindful use: Being mindful of how and why you use technology can help maintain a healthy balance. This includes being aware of the time spent online, the content consumed, and the impact on personal interactions.
Foster real-world connections: Face-to-face interactions and offline activities can help reduce dependency on technology and improve mental well-being.
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At Unplugged, we envision a world where our smartphones are always a tool of empowerment and are not abused by those who seek to control and manipulate us.
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