Creators Help Millions Break Free From Doomscrolling

You're scrolling through TikTok, and suddenly a friendly face appears with a question that stops you cold: do you remember what you watched two videos ago?

Olivia Yokubonis, known online as Olivia Unplugged, is part of a growing movement of creators fighting social media overuse from inside the apps themselves. Her approach is simple but effective: interrupt the endless scroll with science-backed reminders about screen time.

When skeptics point out the irony of posting anti-scrolling content on social media, Yokubonis has a ready response. "Where else am I supposed to find you, Kyle? Outside? You're not outside," she jokes. "For us to actually be seen, we have to be where people are."

The strategy is working. Research from Ofir Turel, a professor at the University of Melbourne who studies social media use, shows that most people have no idea how much time they actually spend online. When confronted with their real screen time data, viewers enter "a state of shock" and many voluntarily cut back their usage.

These digital interventions arrive at a crucial moment. What feels like a quick 10-minute phone break often stretches to 30 minutes or more, stolen from work, relationships, and real-world experiences.

The anti-doomscrolling creator community ranges from gentle nudgers to more aggressive wake-up callers. Some dedicate their entire accounts to the cause, while others sprinkle in occasional reality checks between regular content.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond individual screen time reductions, these creators are sparking broader conversations about our relationship with technology. Their videos have become gathering points for people who feel trapped by their devices but don't know how to break free.

The comments sections transform into support groups where viewers share their own struggles and victories. Many report that a single reminder video inspired them to set app limits, turn off notifications, or rediscover hobbies they'd abandoned for their phones.

For Yokubonis and her fellow creators, the mission is clear: meet people where they are, remind them of the world beyond the screen, and trust them to make better choices. One scroll-stopping video at a time, they're helping millions reclaim their attention and their lives.