Gen Z, the tech-savvy generation that grew up on TikTok, is now apparently ditching their screens to live in “monk mode.”
This ascetic and detached lifestyle is somehow trending, as evidenced by the 80.2 million (and steadily increasing) views on the hashtag #MonkMode on TikTok. The idea of “monk mode” entails committing to tasks without the presence of technology or distractions, recognizing the challenge of resisting the allure of addictive smartphone and social media notifications.
It seems that Gen Zs are starting to appreciate the importance of setting digital boundaries for their overall well-being. Perhaps they’re becoming aware of how TikTok is keeping people hooked and making it hard to break free?
Filipino users, in particular, could benefit from a break from social media, as the Philippines is currently the top country in the world for watching vlogs and ranks fourth in social media usage. Users ought to realize that the endless scrolling on social media apps is nothing but empty calories in the realm of meaningful social interaction, while data-hungry social media companies are capitalizing on our engagement as they track our data.
If you’d like to overcome your own fear of missing out and boost your focus and productivity in real life, consider using the Screen Time feature on iOS to limit how much time you spend on digital screens. The equivalent Android feature is called Digital Wellbeing. There are also apps like freedom.to to help you block distractions and focus on real-life things that matter.