In a world increasingly dominated by smartphones, a growing movement among churches is seeking to curb this digital dependency. Spearheaded by a US church, this initiative involves fasting from smartphones, which has reportedly improved relationships within congregations and their spiritual lives.
Smartphones and social media have often been linked to various societal issues, including mental health challenges among adolescents, political polarization, and social isolation. Researcher and author Jonathan Haidt has been vocal in addressing these concerns through his ‘After Babel’ Substack newsletter, where he highlights studies on the adverse impacts of technology and promotes responsible smartphone use.
In a notable move, Pastor Darren Whitehead of Nashville’s Church of the City led a technological fast in his Tennessee congregations. He was prompted by concerns over the negative influence of smartphones on his congregation, which numbers around 10,000 members. “People were struggling to connect deeply with God, each other, and even themselves, as technology increasingly monopolized their attention,” he wrote on After Babel.
This initiative was partly inspired by a personal moment when Whitehead’s daughters expressed their desire for him to reduce his phone usage. Discussing this on the “Couple Things” podcast, he said, “It was kind of a wake-up call for me, and as a pastor I was just feeling these devices have seeped their way into our lives.”
Whitehead emphasized the collective benefits of undertaking the fast as a community, stating, “Doing it as a group, doing it as a neighbourhood, doing it as a family, doing it as a church, is so much easier because it’s a shared experience.”
The fast involved participants removing apps from their phones, using them solely for calls and texts. Many discovered hobbies, rekindled relationships, and engaged in deeper prayer and meditation. Towards the fast’s conclusion, participants were encouraged to discern which technologies to reintegrate into their lives, with the aim of fostering a deeper connection with God’s presence.
This practice has sparked interest among other churches, with “hundreds” reportedly signing up for a similar Digital Fast in 2025. Churches participating in the program through DigitalFast2025.com receive resources like a workbook and an app to monitor digital usage.
Whitehead advised on practical steps for a digital fast, such as purchasing an alarm clock to avoid phone notifications upon waking and using newfound free time for social interactions and spiritual reading.
Jonathan Haidt has also weighed in on the impact of smartphones on children, suggesting, “An essential precondition is to delay the phone-based life until the age of 18.” He argues that extensive phone use undermines spiritual education, stating, “There’s not much you can do in church if they are spending 10 hours a day outside of church on their phones.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
