7+ hours
Average daily screen time for 18–24 year olds across devices.
“The new pandemic isn’t Covid…
it’s digital obesity.
And what we need now is digital nutrition.”
From my capstone research on persuasion and overconsumption.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF “DETOX”
More living, less uploading.
Clean Feed™ borrows the language of wellness — detoxes, routines, gentle reminders — but applies it to your mind instead of your body. It’s about paying attention to how often you feel the need to post, share, or document everything when you don’t actually want to.
“More living, less uploading” is simply a reminder to give yourself a break from documenting everything. Sometimes it’s healthier to stay in the moment instead of turning it into a post — and this project helps you take that small step back from the screen to notice when you’re actually present.
It’s not about quitting social media. It’s about keeping some experiences just for you, not for the algorithm.
Defining the problem
What is digital obesity?
Digital obesity is what happens when your daily media intake quietly exceeds what your mind can process. It's not just “too much screen time” – it's the constant layering of notifications, clips, shorts, reels, emails, and DMs that never fully switch off.
Platforms are designed to keep you “snacking” on content all day: infinite scroll, autoplay, streaks, countdowns, and limited-time offers. Over time, this high-calorie information diet leaves you feeling heavy, foggy, and overstimulated – even when you’re just “relaxing” on your phone.
What the numbers say
Digital overload
in real life.
Studies on Gen Z and young adults show that “always on” is no longer an exaggeration. Screens, notifications, and algorithms quietly take up most of the average day — and most people don’t realize how much.
62%
Feel overstimulated or distracted by constant notifications.
79%
Say algorithms influence their choices more than they’d like.
1 in 3
Often feel mentally drained after being online.
A day in a “heavy” feed
What digital obesity feels like in everyday life.
Morning
- Alarm off → instantly on TikTok or Instagram.
- Breakfast eaten while scrolling, not really tasting it.
- First anxious spike from news, comments, or notifications.
Afternoon
- “Quick check” between tasks turns into 20+ minutes.
- Harder to focus in class or work after switching apps.
- Brain feels full, but you don’t remember what you saw.
Night
- Scrolling in bed to “relax” delays sleep by an hour.
- Autoplay and recommendations keep serving more.
- Body is tired, mind is buzzing, and you still feel behind.
The goal of Clean Feed™ isn’t to shame this pattern, but to make it visible – and offer a gentler, more intentional “digital diet.”