Digital Detox Challenge: Can You Go 24 Hours Without Your Phone?
Let’s be honest — our phones are basically an extra limb at this point. From snapping selfies and scrolling TikTok to checking Google Maps and sending memes on the group chat, it’s almost impossible to imagine a full day without that familiar glow.
But here’s a question we’re asking at SEED:
Could you go 24 hours without your phone?
Before you panic, take a deep breath. We’re not suggesting a permanent goodbye, just a short “digital detox” to see what happens when you unplug for a while.
Why a Digital Detox?
Phones connect us, entertain us, and keep us informed, but they can also drain us. Constant notifications, comparing and endless scrolling can lead to burnout, anxiety, and loss of focus. For youth especially, this constant “always on” culture can make it harder to stay present and truly connect with others.
A digital detox helps you reclaim your time and attention; things that are becoming more valuable than ever in our fast-moving world.
Think of it like hitting the reset button on your brain.
What Happens When You Unplug?
Here’s what many people discover during a 24-hour digital detox:
Better focus: Without constant pings and buzzes, you’ll notice how much easier it is to stay on task.
Real conversations: You might end up having longer, deeper chats with people around you.
Improved mood: Less comparison, more calm.
Rediscovered hobbies: Reading, journaling, going for a walk, or even cooking — remember those?
You may be surprised at how refreshed and energized you feel when you take a break from your screen.
Why It Matters for Your Future
This isn’t just about personal wellness. It’s also about building future-ready skills. Employers increasingly value traits like focus, creativity, emotional intelligence, and self-regulation, all of which are strengthened when you learn to control your attention rather than letting technology control it.
In the workplace, being able to unplug, prioritize, and stay grounded is a superpower. It helps you show up as your best self; focused, mindful, and ready to contribute.
SEED’s 24-Hour Challenge
So here’s our challenge to you:
Go 24 hours without your phone.
Yes, 24 hours.
No TikTok. No Instagram. No “just checking one message.”
Instead — try journaling, spending time outdoors, or having a face-to-face chat with someone you haven’t seen in a while. If you want to take it one step further, document your experience afterward and tag us to share how it went!
Let’s see how many of us can actually do it, and what we learn about ourselves in the process.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever tried a digital detox before? What did you notice?
Share your experience with us on our Instagram! We’d love to hear how you navigated your 24 hours offline!
Head over to our Instagram page @seednscanada and share how it went through our Q&A story— whether it was easy, tough, or eye-opening. Your reflections might just inspire someone else to give it a try!
Final Thoughts
Technology is here to stay and that’s a good thing. It helps us learn, connect, and build futures full of opportunity. But taking time to unplug reminds us that we’re the ones in control — not our screens.
A 24-hour detox isn’t about giving something up; it’s about gaining something back — your focus, your calm, your creativity.
So whether it’s one hour, one day, or one weekend, try stepping away from your phone and stepping into the present moment. You might just find that the best kind of connection happens offline.