Digital fasting: Reclaiming presence, faith, and family this Holy Week

In a culture where constant connectivity is king, the idea of digital fasting might seem both strange and intimidating.

- By MARK ISAIAH DAVID

As Holy Week (traditionally a time for reflection, sacrifice, and renewal) approaches, there’s a question worth pondering: What would happen if we forsook our phones for a few days?

As some of us have our own ways of fasting (no meat on Fridays or no fancy coffee for a month), what if we also abstained from social media, bottomless reels, and endless scrolling?

This practice, known as digital fasting, is an activity gaining traction all over the world. And for many Filipino families, Holy Week might be the perfect time to give it a try.

Digital fasting is the practice of reducing or completely renouncing the use of digital devices for a set period, especially social media, entertainment apps, and everything else that breeds unnecessary screen time.

This is not about permanently logging off; this is simply about creating a temporary space to breathe, to reflect, and to be present.

Why Digital Fasting Matters (Especially on Holy Week)

To Be More Present With Your Faith

Done right, Holy Week is one of the most important occasions in the Christian calendar. Christ’s resurrection is the crux of the Christian faith. We even carved out several days to reflect on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But how can we separate this special time from the humdrum of our everyday life if we just keep doing the same things, like constantly checking Facebook or watching TikTok?