Non-technical
Your phone buzzes. A notification. You can't help but check it. In a world where notifications keep pouring in nonstop, going offline feels almost impossible. But what does that actually do to your peace of mind? In this blog, we'll explore why unplugging now and then is essential, and how you can break free from platforms engineered to capture and hold your attention.
The impulses: a DM, a like, a news update. It seems harmless, but constant notifications trigger our brains. Each ping takes your attention and breaks your focus. According to experts, this behavior is similar to addiction, where it becomes harder and harder not to check your phone (Psyned, n.d.).
Psychological research also shows that FOMO, short for the Fear Of Missing Out, can lead to stress, restlessness, and poorer mental health (Psyned, n.d.). The constant fear of missing something makes us grab our phones more often, even when there's nothing important to see. This makes you feel mentally tired, shorter attention spans, and makes it harder to really concentrate.
Notifications don't just interrupt your work, they also disturb social moments. A conversation with a friend is broken by a ping, a quiet moment gets filled with scrolling. Being more aware of notifications, or turning them off for a while, can help you be more present.
Experiments show that people often feel more focused and calmer after a day without notifications. Some say they feel a little less socially connected, but many are open to changing their notification settings for good. This creates space for reflection, deeper relationships, and attention for what really matters (Psyned, n.d.).
What we see on platforms like Instagram, Facebook or TikTok is not random. It's chosen by algorithms. These algorithms are made to keep your attention, not to help your well-being (NPO3, n.d.). They also increase polarization and can create a twisted view of the world. You mostly see content that fits what you liked or shared before.
The constant flow of content also causes loss of focus and shallow communication. Terms like 'doomscrolling', endlessly scrolling through negative news, and 'phubbing', ignoring someone because you're looking at your phone, didn't just appear by accident (Psyned, n.d.).
Luckily, another is growing. Platforms like Mastodon and Pixelfed, part of the Fediverse, offer an alternative to Big Tech's attention-based system. According to NU.nl (2022), content on these networks appears in chronological order, without ads or tracking algorithms. Users have more control over what they see and share, and what they don't.
These networks run on open standards and are often managed locally or by volunteers. In the Fediverse, you set the rules. This approach is gaining attention in government organizations as well (Binnenlands Bestuur, 2023). According to Netwerk Mediawijsheid (2025), these platforms offer a healthier digital space where digital freedom is key.
So now the question remains: why not? In a world where attention has become a product, alternatives like Mastodon and Pixelfed offer a place to breathe. They are free from tracking, ads, and algorithmic control, a relief in a digital world that keeps shouting for your attention. So, what's stopping you?