'I spent 2 days without my phone, it was the hardest thing I've ever done'
A young woman felt "extremely lonely" and "uneasy" after going through one of the "hardest" trials she's ever been through - turning her phone off for the weekend.
Emmie Killin, 21, grew up with a phone and is at home with social media, but she was curious about what life is like for the less fortunate who can't afford their own tech.
So the journalist, from Lancashire, decided to abstain for the weekend, leaving her phone off from Friday to Monday - but she still had a GoPro, which she used to document her journey.
She eventually completed the challenge but was a changed woman by the end of it, with a newfound respect for those who don't live their lives on a phone, as she admitted it was one of the "hardest” things she’s ever done
Emmie wanted to know what it would be like to not have a phone (Jam Press Vid)What do you think about mobile phones? Let us know in the comments...
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Emmie said: "It was extremely isolating - I'm so used to having my phone by my side and to easily be able to contact the people in my life.
"The first few hours were strange, I kept going into my pocket and finding it empty – it's like my body is wired to reach for my phone.
"When I went outside, it was almost like I'd been abandoned, having to rely on others for things like directions or looking up things online.
"By the second day, I felt very low, not being able to keep up with the news, catch up with friends or send texts to my boyfriend."
Emmie also gave herself some tasks including making a budget meal from TikTok using a cookbook, go food shopping with cash only and use a payphone – the latter of which was the only enjoyable part of the experience.
Emmie said it was a shock to go without her phone for the weekend (Jam Press)
She grew up with phones and social media (Jam Press)She said: "I'd looked up a dish on TikTok a few days before the challenge and tried to recreate it with a recipe book.
"Unfortunately most of the recipes needed additional ingredients that I didn't have, as well as lengthy instructions, so it wasn't as quick and easy as I'd hoped.
"In the end, I just threw something together but it would have been much easier if I'd been able to get tips online.
"It also made me realise how tricky it must be for people on small budgets to get affordable tricks and hacks without a phone, unable to sign up to special deals or just get advice from someone else.
"The only part of the weekend that I enjoyed was using a pay phone, it might sound silly but I've never done it before.
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It didn't take long for Emmie to feel lonely and bored (Jam Press)"But on the other hand, I remember standing there and all I wanted to do was take a photo to share the experience with a friend, and I couldn't.
"I also only had 60p in cash, so when my aunt didn't pick up, I had no way to reach her and just had to go home."
In the video, Emmie reflected on the emotional toll of not being able to reach out to the outside world as she realised what a challenge it must be for others who can't afford phones.
She said: "Before this experience, I always assumed that most people have a phone. Although I know that isn't the case, it's difficult to get my head around it.
Emmie feels sorry for people who can't afford mobile phones (Jam Press)"I only did this for two days, for some people, this is everyday life. It's distressing to think that people don't have access to something so essential in this day and age."
Recently, Tesco Mobile pledged to help 50,000 people facing financial hardship by 2025 through its Little Helps Databank, a scheme to distribute SIM cards to food banks, which will be donated to those in need.
"Technology enables us more than ever to help manage our lives," said Claire Pickthall, CEO of Tesco Mobile.
"I'm really proud of the work we're doing as part of our new partnership with the Trussell Trust and through the launch of our Little Helps Databank on this vital issue, to help connect people facing financial hardship, making sure they can access critical services and connect with others."
"The cost-of-living crisis is impacting all of us, but for people on the lowest incomes, it's simply impossible," said Emmie Revie, CEO of Trussell Trust.
"As the price of essentials continues to soar, families without enough money for life's essentials are being increasingly caught between keeping themselves fed, warm or online.
"This simply isn't right."
The mobile network has also donated devices to support the food bank network.
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