UK Embraces Digital Detox Over Deepfake Fears

As technology continues to dominate modern life, a growing portion of the population is seeking to disconnect. A recent EY survey revealed that 38% of UK consumers have begun the new year with a digital detox, recognizing the negative impact of excessive screen time on their well-being. 

The recent EY survey, which polled 2,500 UK consumers, found that 47% of 18–34-year-olds see their online habits as disruptive to mental health, while 41% of households expressed concerns about excessive screen use at home.

Concerns over data security are also rising, with 64% of respondents cautious about sharing personal information online. Older consumers (55+) are particularly wary, while younger users are showing increased openness to data sharing for personalized services. Notably, 30% of consumers—up from 27% last year—are willing to exchange data for customization, presenting monetization opportunities for companies offering clear benefits.

 
Anxiety about harmful content is also mounting, with 46% of households worried about online risks, up from 38% last year. 62% of households are particularly concerned about children’s exposure to harmful material, calling for stricter regulations. Additionally, 61% of respondents fear AI will undermine content reliability, while 62% worry about AI being misused to create harmful content.

Globally, the push for digital detoxes is gaining momentum. In the United States, companies are encouraging “screen-free” days, while nations like Japan, Germany, and India are witnessing growing interest in mindfulness practices, retreats, and digital-free zones.
 
The implementation of the UK Online Safety Act marks a key step in tackling these challenges. The regulation mandates platforms to adopt safety measures, with non-compliance resulting in fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, emphasizing the need for robust content moderation and user protection worldwide. With this we sign off for now.