DConnect, a Belgian app for better screen life supported by tourism institutions

As screen time explodes, a new Belgian app wants to challenge users’ behaviors. DConnect wants to help screen-addicted people to find the right balance between digital life and disconnected moments, without guilt or extreme solutions.

Designed for teenagers, parents, or professionals, the application offers personalized support to reduce mental fatigue and regain control of one’s attention — a societal challenge that has become urgent.

Worrying context

According to a study conducted by Asmodee Belgium and Ivox, 52% of Belgians spend more than three hours a day in front of a screen outside of work, and one in six spends more than five hours.

It’s a worrying trend observed across many countries in Europe. In France, 57% of those under 20 and 37% of 15–74-year-olds say they have tried to reduce their digital consumption. In Ireland, 82% of 18–34-year-olds say they are dependent while in the Netherlands, 95% of young people feel a loss of control.

Sleep disorders, isolation, anxiety, sedentary lifestyle, cognitive fatigue… Digital
over-consumption has concrete impacts on mental and physical health.

A gentle, personalized and guilt-free approach

DConnect doesn’t demonize screens. The application offers courses adapted to different profiles (teenagers, parents, professionals, hypersensitive, etc.) to support everyone in a smooth and realistic transition. The objective is to help its users to better manage their attention. However without taking a break from their social or professional life.

Some concrete examples:
• Daily tips and tricks: simple, benevolent and actionable advice to transform
your digital habits, step by step.
• A fun course of tutorials: to better understand the impact of digital
technology and find a sustainable balance.
• Personalized activity ideas: tailored to the user’s preferences, location, or
time of day to foster meaningful offline experiences.
• A gentle analysis of digital use: no anxiety-provoking figures, but a clear and
peaceful visualization of behaviors.
• A benevolent digital coach (AI): an artificial intelligence designed to
accompany the user with listening and empathy, like a companion on the
road.

All content is validated by experts in mental health, digital design, education, and gamification.

The initiative was born from within the tech sector. DConnect is the brainchild of a former director of Samsung Belgium, a direct witness to the impact of hyper-connection. He brought together a cross-functional team to create a tool that goes against the grain: an app that helps people using less apps.

Committed support and partnerships from the tourism industry

DConnect benefits from the support of several partners who are sensitive to these
issues.

• Orange

Orange, through the #ForGoodConnections initiative, reaffirms its
role as a trusted player by promoting responsible use of digital technology,
with a strong commitment to youth protection. The themes addressed in
#ForGoodConnections are cyber-bullying, online hate and hyper-connection.

• Wimzzi

Wimzzi is a unique platform: a Belgian & responsible digital solution
that brings together more than 3,000 Belgian creations, handmade and in
short circuits. It is a concrete alternative to hyperconsumption: a local,
human and inspiring universe, just a click away. Online, yes – but to consume
better offline.

• Fnac Belgium

Fnac Belgium has always been committed to making culture accessible to
all, by supporting the diversity of works, artists and formats. Through its
stores, events and selections, it promotes a lively and curious access to
culture in all its forms.

• Tourism partners

Uit in Vlaanderen (Out in Flanders), visit.brussels and Quefaire.be. All these institutions work to promote the cultural richness and diversity of Belgium by highlighting its events, institutions and local initiatives. Their organization encourage the discovery of a vibrant, creative Belgium that is open to all forms of culture. By mastering times passed on apps, these institutions want to turn again travelers into visitors showing a true curiosity for the real world!

Designed and developed in Belgium, DConnect has just been launched in its home country. Before to be deployed in France before year-end, and then in other European countries. A first version  of the app has been released in June, with two updates planned in the coming months to enrich the user experience. With always the objective of offering a break at a time when people lives are increasingly governed by notifications.