Millennials Rebel Against Constant Screen Time with 'Attention Activism'

A growing movement seeks to break free from the grip of smartphones and social media by embracing low-tech alternatives and unplugged gatherings.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:28am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a group of people sitting in a living room, their faces and surroundings blurred into soft, warm pools of color, conceptually representing the mindful, screen-free gatherings of the 'attention activism' movement.In a world increasingly dominated by screens, a growing movement seeks to reclaim attention and focus through unplugged gatherings and low-tech alternatives.Brooklyn Today

A small but passionate movement of millennials and Gen Z members is rebelling against the omnipresent screen, with offshoots in several countries. They are gathering in groups to put away their phones and engage in activities like reading, drawing, and conversation. The movement, known as 'attention activism,' aims to break free from the grip of smartphones and social media and reclaim their attention and focus.

Why it matters

The 'attention activism' movement is a response to the increasing dominance of technology in modern life, with concerns that smartphones and social media are becoming 'insidious' and 'extractive.' The movement seeks to raise awareness about the impact of constant screen time and provide alternatives that encourage people to be more present and engaged with the world around them.

The details

The movement has taken root in various cities, with groups gathering in places like Brooklyn, New York, and the Netherlands to participate in activities that don't involve staring at screens. These include reading, drawing, and conversation, as well as exercises like staring at their palms or those of their neighbors. The movement has also inspired some organizations, like the Oberlin College Harkness Housing and Dining Co-op, to ban technology in shared spaces to foster more in-person interaction.

  • In January, authorities in wartime Iran shut down the internet during mass protests, one of the few places in the world where mobile internet access is not readily available.
  • In 2015, Dan Fox, a stand-up comedian and marketing professional, was inspired to join the movement after attending a Tame Impala concert at Radio City Music Hall, where he noticed that many audience members were filming the concert on their phones instead of immersing themselves in the music.

The players

Dan Fox

A 38-year-old stand-up comedian who works in marketing for Brooklyn-based Light Phone, one of several 'dumb phones' with only basic functionality. He was inspired to join the 'attention activism' movement after attending a Tame Impala concert in 2015, where he noticed that many audience members were filming the concert on their phones instead of immersing themselves in the music.

Riley Soloner

A teacher of theatrical clowning and an usher at Carnegie Hall, who attended one of the 'attention activism' gatherings in Brooklyn and expressed feeling like an 'addict' in regards to his relationship with his phone.

D. Graham Burnett

A historian of science at Princeton University and one of the authors of 'Attensity! A Manifesto of the Attention Liberation Movement,' making him a pillar of the growing backlash against the corporate harvesting of human attention.

Ilya Kneppelhout

The co-founder of the Offline Club, a group in the Netherlands that organizes events and gatherings focused on connecting with oneself through creative activities, reading, writing, and puzzling.

Ozzie Frazier

A 21-year-old junior at Oberlin College, who was part of the Harkness Housing and Dining Co-op's decision to run their organization without emails and spreadsheets, expanding to a ban on technology in the shared spaces of the 1950s brick building.

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What they’re saying

“The products have become more insidious and more extractive, exploitative.”

— Dan Fox, Stand-up comedian and marketing professional

“I realized the phones are literally getting in the way of the things I love.”

— Dan Fox, Stand-up comedian and marketing professional

“I don't feel good about my relationship with my phone. I feel like an addict.”

— Riley Soloner, Teacher of theatrical clowning and usher at Carnegie Hall

“People expressed a feeling of relief about not needing to be checking their emails, or checking their texts or checking the news. That allowed us to spend a lot of time just talking to each other.”

— Ozzie Frazier, 21-year-old junior at Oberlin College

“Discipline is not enough nowadays. It's becoming more and more difficult to keep the attention and to keep the focus on goals and whatever you want to achieve and want to do.”

— Wilhelm Tupy, Former judo champion and business consultant

What’s next

As the 'attention activism' movement continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether it can truly disrupt the dominance of Big Tech and the constant pull of smartphones and social media. The movement's success will likely depend on its ability to inspire more people to rethink their relationship with technology and find ways to reclaim their attention and focus.

The takeaway

The 'attention activism' movement highlights the growing concerns about the impact of technology on our lives and the desire for more mindful, present-focused experiences. While the movement may face significant challenges in breaking free from the grip of smartphones and social media, it represents an important shift in how people are thinking about the role of technology in their lives and the importance of reclaiming their attention and focus.