What happens when a GEN Z chooses to walk away from social media?

This month, I want to share something close to my heart: social media and the freedom I found in stepping away from it. This comes as Australia recently announced a ban on social media for children under 16.

When I was 16, I made a life-changing decision—I permanently deleted all my social media accounts. It wasn’t easy, and it certainly wasn’t something I’d planned, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Little did I know, this step would lead me to discover something called digital minimalism and transform how I live my life.

As Australia introduces this controversial policy, it’s sparked a global conversation about the role of social media in young people’s lives. Is it a step towards protecting mental health? Or does it limit personal freedom? For me, the journey away from social media was about reclaiming freedom and clarity—and I want to share how that looked for me.

A Little Backstory

Growing up as part of Gen Z, I was no stranger to the online world. My high school introduced iPads for learning, so I’d already been immersed in the internet from a young age. I was an OG iPad kid! By 13, I had my first phone—a silver iPhone 5s—and like many teenagers, I downloaded every app that promised connection: Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I was eager to fit in, to belong. But instead of building my confidence, social media quickly became a source of stress, comparison, and pain.

I was bombarded with harsh realities: stories of racism, police brutality, violence and incidents of grooming that left me feeling overwhelmed and helpless. At 15, struggling with my self-image, I even began bleaching my skin, believing it would make me more accepted. It didn’t. It only left me with deeper insecurities and visible reminders of my pain.

By 16, I’d had enough. I was tired of the cycle of social media cleanses and detoxes. I had to step back and realize that the reason I did these detoxes were because social media truly dirtied my mind, image and heart. I thought why should I continue to willingly subject myself to those negative effects. I made a decision and on April 24th, 2020, I deleted all my accounts—Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter—and even changed my phone number. I totally disappeared from the online world, and in doing so, I began a crucial journey of discovering my God-giving calling, my own beliefs and even my own style. Disconnecting from social media at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic helped me to connect more with new passions and enjoy small joys like roller skating ??

I also took up journalling at this time as a substitute for sharing my life online; preferring to detail it in words on paper. I now have 11 journals filled with stories of my life over the last 4+ years. I'm so blessed to have this memoire of my most formative years, my journey through university and my growth from a girl to a woman. I couldn't recommend journalling enough!

Discovering Digital Minimalism

Stepping away from social media wasn’t just about avoiding negativity. It was about reclaiming my time, focus and joy, guarding my peace and increasing my attention span??

This is where digital minimalism came in.

Digital minimalism is about intentionally simplifying your online life so you can focus on what truly matters. For me, it’s been a tool to:

- Cultivate deeper, real-life connections.

- Find clarity and peace in a noisy world.

- Strengthen my relationship with God.

-Avoid triggering, explicit and damaging content.

Proverbs 4:23 'Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it

By reducing distractions, I’ve been able to focus on my passions, my growth, my relationship with Christ and the people I love.

Want to Try Digital Minimalism?

Here are a few simple steps to get started:

1. Start Small: Try a weekend detox where you stay off social media entirely. Use the time to journal, connect with loved ones, or simply rest.

2. Declutter Your Phone: Delete apps you don’t need and turn off unnecessary notifications. Create a space that feels calm instead of chaotic.

3. Be Intentional: Before scrolling, ask yourself: “Is this adding value to my life?” If the answer is no, put your phone down.

What’s Next?

What do you think about Australia's decision? Have you ever thought about stepping back from social media or simplifying your digital life? I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences—hit reply and let me know!

Next month, I’ll be going deep and reflecting on the year 2024 and what we can look forward to in 2025. Stay tuned!

Until then, wishing you peace and clarity in your journey.

Blessings,

Elizabeth Zion