After spending more than a decade “chronically online,” Gabriela Nguyen realized her struggle with distraction, anxiety, and disconnection wasn’t a personal failing—it was the product of technologies designed to hijack attention. In this candid, research-grounded talk, she introduces “appstinence,” a way of reclaiming focus and meaning by redesigning our physical, digital, and social environments. This talk offers a hopeful blueprint for building a fuller, more human life beyond addictive technology. Gabriela Nguyen is the 24-year-old founder of Appstinence, a global movement challenging the idea that social media is necessary for connection. Rather than promoting digital detoxes or moderation, Appstinence advocates complete freedom from personal social media accounts in favor of direct communication through calling and texting.
