Public urged to take 24-hour online 'cyberbreak'
Families and workplaces are being urged to switch off all smart devices from 7pm today and take a 24-hour break from the online world.
Families and workplaces are being encouraged to turn off all smart devices at 7pm today and disconnect from the digital world for 24 hours. This initiative, called CyberBreak 2026, is supported by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Over 25,000 participants have already signed up for the annual event, which aims to help people reset their digital habits and create healthier online routines.
Online safety charity CyberSafeKids has found that many primary and secondary school children have no limits on their online time. This lack of boundaries is concerning due to the potential exposure to harmful content and interactions in digital spaces, according to Alex Cooney, CEO of CyberSafeKids. He believes that initiatives like CyberBreak are crucial.
Disconnecting for just 24 hours allows us to reflect on our device usage and start building healthier habits together, modeling good behavior for children as parents, teachers, and caregivers. Brian Higgins, HSE Assistant National Director for Adult Mental Health, agrees that constant social media use can significantly distract and harm our mental health.
Taking a CyberBreak provides an opportunity to step back and find a balanced approach to using online and offline resources.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
