Faith & technology
How to Do a Social Media Fast: A Simple Christian Guide
Know why you are fasting
A fast is not a productivity hack; it is a way of turning toward God. Before you set any rules, name the hunger underneath—peace, presence, rest, freedom from comparison. Christian fasting creates emptiness on purpose so that it can be filled with prayer and attention to God.
Choose a length you can actually keep
A weekend, a week of Lent, or one day each week are all faithful starting points. An honest short fast forms more in you than an ambitious one you abandon by Tuesday. Decide the start and the end in advance so the fast has clear edges.
Replace the scroll, not just remove it
The moments you used to fill with a feed—waking, waiting, winding down—will feel empty at first. Plan what goes there instead: a psalm, a prayer, a walk, a real conversation. A fast that only subtracts tends to end in a binge; a fast that substitutes something good tends to last.
Protect the boundary gently
Log out, remove the app for the season, or use a tool that pauses it—whatever makes the easy action harder. Belltower can hold selected apps behind your reading time so the first thing you reach for is Scripture, not the feed. Keep a way back for when you truly need it, and return without shame when you slip.