Standing at the birth of the vlogger generation, Zoe Sugg, aka Zoellais one of the biggest names in social media, with more than nine million Instagram followers and 11.2 million subscribers to her YouTube channel.
But, on Saturday, she's urging everyone to take a whole day off from social media, to protect their mental health.
The Royal Society Of Public Health found social media is more addictive than smoking and alcohol and that using social media for more than two hours per day is associated with poor self-rating of mental health, increased levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation.
So, the campaign - a collaboration between LUSH, Zoe and mental health organisation #IAMWHOLE founded by Jordan Stephens - is asking people around the world to take one day off.
We caught up with her to ask why she thought the campaign was so important.
Why did you want to get involved with digital detox day?
I initially approached LUSH as they're one of my all-time favourite brands, I've been a fan of theirs since I was a teenager and I always admired the charity campaigns and human rights work they carry out. Very early on we knew we wanted to do something to help mental health charities, and we started work on the IRL bath bomb. We then also joined forced with I AM WHOLE, an incredible organisation that work on mental health campaigns, and it seemed like such a natural fit to bring all our conversations together and get working on a campaign that would not only raise much-needed funds for grassroots mental health charities but also look at our relationship with social media and see what we can do to promote a more positive digital experience.
Do you take digital detox days?
Digital detoxes are something that I try and do from time to time, mainly around Christmas time as everyone else seems to switch off more then too. Sometimes I can find myself endlessly scrolling and consuming so much that I feel like my brain can’t retain any more information, and that’s when I know I’m overdoing it.
Why is it important? How often do you think people should consider doing it?
Setting boundaries on who you follow, what content you consume, and how that content makes you feel is imperative when using social media. Do you always feel positive when you come away from social media, or is it something that largely negatively impacts you? All these things are good to question and I think it’s healthy, especially in this day and age, that we’re all taking the time and stepping away from our devices to give us that space we probably don’t realise we need.
What would you say to people who feel anxious about not being connected to social media for a day?
Nothing is so important that you need to know it instantly. We are so used to a much faster paced world now, that we forget that time still passes and life goes on if we don’t get back to that message or check that notification right away. You’ll never feel as 'in the moment' as you do when you’re experiencing 'real life' and not scrolling through everyone else’s on a device in your hand.
Have you ever felt addicted to social media, like you didn't want to switch off?
Yes, I often scroll without any agenda, just to fill time or to procrastinate. When a person receives a notification they instantly get a dopamine hit, which explains why people become addicted to social media so easily.
More than anyone, you've grown up with social media and seen its changes - do you still think it's a force for good?
Yes! Social media has many positives and I’ve been very fortunate to have experienced so many of those over the last 11 years. It’s a place to stay connected with loved ones, to share experiences, build communities, make friends and find like-minded people to share hobbies with. As with everything though, it’s good in moderation and too much of something is usually not that good for us.
Have you had times where social media has left you feeling low because of comparing yourself to others? Or trolling?
All of the above! I also often get imposter syndrome or feel a huge sense of responsibility which can feel overwhelming at times. The thing I tend to do when I’m feeling this way is to take more time offline and spend much more time with my friends and family to re-focus and re-fuel. We often forget that social media isn’t real life, and that the memories we all share online are made offline.
What will you be doing with your day off social media?
I actually don’t know what my plans are yet but I’m sure it will involve lots of board games, hopefully a roast dinner, a walk along the beach and some reading!
Zoe's top tips for setting boundaries around social media...
Set yourself boundaries: Give yourself a limited amount of time on your apps, if you’re using an iPhone you can set up usage alerts and turn off your notifications during certain hours of the day
Try to start and end your day without looking at your phone: Head downstairs, grab a glass of water make your bed, make your breakfast, get ready for the day and THEN look at your phone. I always have this awful habit of opening my eyes and reaching straight for my phone, scrolling away and realising I have no time to get ready. I think it’s really nice to start your day and end your day without your phone. I’ve been told that to have the best night’s sleep, leave your phone outside your room. I know you might be saying ‘What do I do about my alarm?’ Well my friend, buy an alarm clock! As hard as that sounds it’s a proven method and if you struggle to sleep the less blue light you consume before bed the better. Although it sounds wild to be leaving your phone outside to the room try it for a week and you’ll notice a difference!.
Tailor who you’re following on social media: Get comfortable with the unfollow and mute button if somebody is making you feel anything less than inspired or confident remove them from your feed. You do not need to be following people to keep them happy you need to be following people to make YOU happy. Make yourself the priority. Make the content you’re consuming worth consuming.
Check-in on your friends I real life: Don’t rely on their stories or posts to keep up with them or what they’re doing in their day, social media is always and WILL always be someone’s highlight reel and they will never say how they’re feeling by showing the ins and outs of their 24 hour day. It’s so important to stay connected with people in real life and not through Instagram posts.
Think before you type: This one goes for everyone! I think we’re all a little guilty sometimes of typing something without really thinking about it and I think if we all took 10 seconds to consider if a comment is constructive or helpful or if it’s just plain mean or rude the internet would be a nicer place to be. I also think sometimes if you’ve seen something online that makes you feel angry or bad about something, put the phone down, step away, go and pour yourself a drink, read a book, run a bath or whatever helps you relax rather than reacting too quickly without thinking it through. Being online it’s much easier to type without thinking and then you can get yourself into a mess.
Treat your accounts like your home: It is YOUR space on the internet, you decide what is and isn’t allowed, who is allowed in and who isn’t. If someone is misbehaving in your house, you have every right to ask them to leave, block remove or delete. It’s your space and you can make it whatever you want it to be it is not up to anyone else to decide that for you, you are in charge, that’s it!
For more information, go to: www.digitaldetoxday.org