Working In Partnership With Manchester Metropolitan University

Most of us have unlimited access to gadgets and tech that are designed to make our lives easier. But what if they achieve the opposite? For millions of people across the globe, tech addiction is a very real and debilitating reality. The word addiction is often synonymous with exposure to alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating and more. But as the tiny computers in our pockets become more advanced, our attachment to them grows.

A survey conducted by media watchdog Ofcom found that, out of the fifty million internet users in the UK, large numbers admitted that the internet had a severely negative impact on their lives. From this survey, a third of people admitted they spent too much time online and missed out on spending time with loved ones. Fifty-nine per cent admitted that they were ‘hooked’.

As well as working with award-winning garden designer, Rachel Platt on our exhibition garden, we decided to take it one step further. We contacted Manchester Metropolitan University in hopes they would be interested in running our nature-based research project. This project is an important asset to our garden, as it will help us better understand how the ‘Chained to Tech’ garden impacts observers and will gauge their perceptions of the theme.

Dr. Lucy Walker, Research Associate in the Psychology Department at MMU said: “We are very excited to be working with J. Parker’s on this innovative garden design. The garden demonstrates a clever use of colour and design elements to demonstrate the addictive qualities of technology and the impact this can have on mental

Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes report 2023, Ofcom health. The garden will help to inform the public about the dangers of technology addiction and promote safe usage, especially among young people at most risk of poor mental health outcomes.”

How do we tackle this growing epidemic? Like any addiction, tech addiction can be difficult to overcome. According to UKRI, one of the largest studies to date on gardening found that ‘those who spent time in the garden reported better physical and mental health than those who did not’. The British Psychological Society found that gardening activities improve relationships,

Dr. Lucy Walker, Research Associate, Department of Psychology, MMU

reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and allow for a sense of achievement that boosts confidence and self-esteem. Although gardening may not be a prescription against tech addiction, it has been proved that spending more time outdoors can help shake the awful effects that tech addiction cause.

The ’Chained to Tech’ garden is a direct representation of tech addiction, featuring pleasing plants that induce instant gratification, like what you would experience when you use technology. Come see our exhibition garden for yourself for the full experience.