The Rise of Do Not Disturb Mode: Setting Boundaries in a Smartphone-Driven World
In a world where smartphones constantly demand our attention with notifications, calls, and messages, Annie Wu Henry has found a way to reclaim some peace and quiet. For the past two years, she hasn’t received a single notification on her phone. Calls go straight to voicemail, apps vibrate into the ether, and texts pile up silently. This is all thanks to the Do Not Disturb mode, a setting that acts as a modern-day away message for smartphone users.
“It’s expectation setting,” says Ms. Henry, a 28-year-old digital strategist. “If I don’t get to it, it’s not personal. I’m just busy.” She notes that during the 2022 campaign when she managed social media for Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, she had notifications on. But now, she values the peace that comes with silencing her phone.
Do Not Disturb mode, introduced by Apple in 2012 and adopted by other smartphone operating systems, has become increasingly popular as people seek to limit their screen time and establish boundaries with their devices. Psychotherapist Sean Grover sees it as a necessary tool to contain the addictive nature of smartphones.
However, some, like disability activist Katriel Nopoulos, see Do Not Disturb as a barrier to communication and hospitality. Others, like Ph.D. student Zoe Marzo, use it as a defense mechanism against incessant messages. Clinical counselor Nicholette Leanza warns that using the setting constantly could be a sign of avoidance or isolation.
Despite some downsides, such as missing important notifications, Ms. Henry appreciates the grace that Do Not Disturb mode gives her in managing the demands on her attention. For her, and many others, it’s a small but powerful tool in navigating the smartphone-driven world we live in.
