How To Set Healthy Boundaries With The Internet and Social Media
In today’s “virtual” reality, technological noise has ultimately conquered our everyday lives. It has drowned out the sounds of real-world connections, added a whole load of added stress, and left us to succumb to the endless addicting effects of doom scrolling. With every notification, every tap of the like button, every click-bait post: we’ve normalized the overuse of the internet to the point where we’ve isolated ourselves from the environment around us.
For a lot of us, we’ve been wanting to break free of this toxic cycle. It has even been said that “the future of the internet is likely smaller communities, with a focus on curated experiences”*. We’re all craving those human-driven, authentic interactions and want to slow the role with our screen time! It’s definitely a challenge (and a huge sacrifice) to go full cold turkey. Deleting all your apps and switching to a flip phone may not be exactly in your cards. But remember: baby steps are still steps! Little actions here and there will slowly bring you peace of mind and get you out of this technological rut.
What are some ways to detox and set boundaries with the internet and social media? Let’s list a few:
Turn OFF Your Social Media Notifications!
I know I’ve mentioned this and gone into full detail with my other blog post, but it’s such an important (and necessary!) decision to make when wanting to disconnect from the digital world!
Designate Tech-Free Zones
Decide when and where you’ll forbid phone usage. It can be in bed, when you get up in the morning (first 30 minutes after waking up), in the bathroom, at your dinner table, around friends, or an hour before going to sleep. Protect spaces for real-life connection and rest.
Set A Timer or A Screen-Time Cutoff
Batch social media time to 2-3 scheduled windows per day (e.g., 12pm and 5pm)—no mindless scrolling outside those times. You can use the app Forest to help keep a record of your screen time, or just use an old-fashioned timer (those cute kitchen ones shaped like ladybugs or cats could make things more fun!).
Curate Your Feed with Intention
Be careful who you follow. Unfollow accounts that drain you or make you feel gross, uncomfortable, angry, or worthless. Prioritize content that inspires, educates, or sparks joy. Mute the rest!
Watching The News: Stay Informed But Not Overwhelmed
Sign up to 1440 for a daily dose of unbiased news that is bite-sized enough for you to intake, acknowledge, and continue on with your day. One reliable source means less doomscrolling, more clarity, and extra headspace for what actually matters to you. Knowledge should empower you, not exhaust you!
Communicate Boundaries Publicly (Customers OR Friends)
It’s good to keep people in the loop! Let your friends know when you’re “offline” or too busy to reply. Good people will understand. For businesses, add ‘slow replies’ to your bio (e.g., ‘I check DMs Tues/Thurs’, ‘INQUIRE THRU EMAIL’, ‘No DMs for Inquiries’, etc.) to manage expectations and reduce pressure. You can also set public ‘DM hours’ (e.g., 10–11am daily).
The "Scroll-Free Sunday" (Or Any Day!)
Pick one day a week to consume zero social content. Use it to recharge in analog ways: cook, journal, or call a friend. I like to catch up on the books I checked out at the library or explore a new nature walk!
Read more books! (Or Slower Forms of Learning)
This has helped me a ton! Whenever it’s late at night and I catch myself wanting to doom scroll, I force myself to put down my phone and pick up a book instead. If you’re not much of a reader, blogs count! Find other, slower sources of digesting information: email newsletters, your favorite blogs, learn new recipes, or even try a long format video on Youtube (preferably on your computer/desktop so you don’t get sucked back into another app on your phone since it’s so easily accessible to do so).
Treat DMs Like An Email (If You’re A Business Account)
Shift your mindset: Direct Messages (DMs) are business correspondence, not casual texts. Just as you wouldn’t check email 24/7, don’t feel pressured to respond to DMs instantly (or outside work hours).
*Yoast, The Seo Update, March 2025
Join The Book Club!
Here are some of my most favorite books that I recommend if you’re looking to slow down, learn something new, or simply want to get off your phone.
Our Kindred Home by Alyson Morgan
American Cozy by Stephanie Pedersen (Hygge Inspired)
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (Thriller)
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (Fiction)
Designing With Dried Flowers by Hannah Rose Rivers Muller
Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman
*NOT affiliated or sponsored, just happy to share!
Seedpod Studio offers thoughtful strategies to help you build an authentic online (and offline!) presence—without the stress of social media burnout.
We prioritize fostering genuine connections, with the intention of community-building in mind, not just keeping up with algorithms. Let’s nurture your brand’s growth in a way that feels true to you. Learn more here!
