Take back control, urges public health body, as it encourages people to abstain or cut down

We’ve got Dry January for anyone tempted to try alcohol abstinence and Stoptober for smokers who want to quit. Now, Scroll Free September will target the use of social media.

The Royal Society for Public Health, which is behind the campaign, is urging everyone to stop using – or reduce use of – Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and other social media platforms for the month.



The campaign is being billed as an “opportunity to take back control of our relationship with social media” for the millions of Britons for whom social media plays a large, possibly unhealthily large, role in their lives.

Social media firms failing to protect young people, survey finds Read more

Anyone accepting the challenge can either go cold turkey, abstaining completely for a month, or commit to reduce their use, for example by steering clear of social media at social events or in the evening.

Polling for the RSPH undertaken by Populus found that, in a representative sample of 2,057 adults, 65% would consider taking part. Significant minorities think ditching social media for a month would benefit their sleep (33%), real world relationships (33%) and general mental health and wellbeing (31%), with 18- to 34-year-olds the most likely to believe that.

Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health, said: “The aim is that by the end of the month we will be able to reflect back on what we missed and what we got to enjoy instead of scrolling through our newsfeeds.”

But, she added: “Of course we know this will be a challenge because of the addictive nature of social media technology.”

Social media and celebrity culture 'harming young people' Read more

Chris Elmore, chair of an all-party group of MPs and peers looking at the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, said: “Many of us are becoming consumed by social media and whilst there are many benefits to using the various platforms available, it’s important to take some time out.”

Almost half (45%) of those polled said taking a break would make them more productive, while 40% of those aged 18-34 thought doing so would improve their body confidence and self-esteem.

Mark Winstanley, the chief executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said people should limit, rather than abandon, their use of social media.

“Social media, like fire, can be a great servant but a deadly master,” he said. “There’s plenty of evidence that shows that those affected by mental illness can get support and guidance through social media but at the same time it can prove addictive and affect some people’s wellbeing.”