Experts urge 24-hour break from screens
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Think you can go 24 hours without scrolling on your phone or staring at other devices?
- Give it a try on Friday, this year's Day of Unplugging.
Why it matters: It may sound like another contrived holiday, but mental health experts say it's a good reminder to step away from screens and reassess our relationship with devices.
What they're saying: Screens aren't just distractions. They can affect sleep, mood and even how young brains develop, Oakland Family Services executive director Jaimie Clayton tells Axios.
- "They actually do rewire your brain," she says.
State of play: Blue light from phones can disrupt melatonin and sleep cycles. Constant scrolling, like other addictive behaviors, also activates dopamine and reward pathways in the brain.
The big picture: Evidence linking heavy screen use to mental health challenges, particularly among teens, has grown in recent years.
- Still, some medical professionals say devices can be used effectively and even help people, especially those who feel marginalized, connect with others.
Zoom in: Oakland Family Services, a nonprofit with locations in Pontiac, Royal Oak and Farmington Hills, is seeing increased stress, anxiety and depression in children and adults.
- Devices don't necessarily cause those issues, Clayton says, but they can exacerbate them, especially when cyberbullying or social comparisons enter the mix.
- Parents should watch for mood shifts, withdrawal, kids who struggle to put devices down or changes in how they interact with friends and family.
Between the lines: The annual unplugging day on Friday encourages a 24-hour break from technology. But going cold turkey isn't realistic for most people.
- Replace pre-bed scrolling with reading. Take a news detox. Set device-free zones at dinner. Even small changes can improve sleep, stress levels and real-world connection.
- "Very small steps also have a very big impact," Clayton says.
Threat level: If device use is replacing sleep, relationships or responsibilities — or if anxiety and depression worsen — it may signal a deeper issue.
- Oakland Family Services offers outpatient counseling for children, adolescents and adults.
The bottom line: A 24-hour break probably won't change everything. But it can prompt reflection on whether your tech is working for or against you.