Breaking the Scroll: Why a Digital Detox Matters
Everywhere we look, people are scrolling. News feeds, social feeds, endless updates. What began as a way to connect has, for many, become a source of anxiety, distraction, and division.
As a legislator, I cannot ignore the research: social media use is linked to rising levels of anxiety and depression among young people. Adults, too, find themselves caught in cycles of doom scrolling, exposed to a constant drip of outrage and misinformation.
And yet, social media companies have shown little real interest in tackling these harms. They know the impact their platforms are having — but their profits depend on keeping us hooked. They downplay the risks, lobby against regulation, and delay meaningful change. Voluntary self-regulation has failed.
The Feeling of Helplessness
It is easy to feel powerless in the face of such enormous corporations.
The algorithms are designed to pull us in, and we often surrender hours without even realising it.
Many people I speak to say they feel trapped — aware of the damage but unsure how to break free.
The Cycle Can Be Broken
There is, however, a simple starting point: a one-day digital detox.
For 24 hours, step away from the scroll.
Log out of social media, silence the constant updates, and reclaim your time.
Fill the hours with something different — a walk, a swim, a book, a coffee with a friend, a creative project, even just rest.
Whatever floats your boat.
One day won’t change everything, but it will remind you that you do have a choice.
And if enough of us choose, it becomes more than a personal reset — it becomes a message.
A Crowd-Sourced Protest
Imagine if thousands of people unplugged for a day. Then a weekend. Then a week. T
he very business model of social media companies — built on capturing attention at all costs — would be disrupted.
It would force them to listen, to take well-being seriously, and to engage with making their platforms safer.
This is not just self-care; it is civic action.
A crowd-sourced protest, quiet but powerful.
Where We Go From Here
I will continue to fight for legislation that demands transparency, age-appropriate protections, and independent oversight.
But in the meantime, each of us has the power to start small.
One day. One choice. One message:
