The Analog Challenge by Low Signal

FAQs

• What exactly is the Analog Challenge?

  A four-week program where you delete social media apps and navigate life without them for 28 days. You do this with nine other people in a structured program that includes weekly group sessions, a buddy system, a creation project, and one five-hour solo challenge. By week four, you decide what apps come back—or don't.

• Is this therapy?

  No. It's a structured accountability program led by an experienced facilitator. If you're dealing with serious mental health concerns, you should see a therapist alongside this (or instead of it). This is a digital wellness program, not clinical treatment.

• Who is this for?

  Working Australians 25–50 who are burned out on their phones and want to get their life back. You need to be willing to actually delete apps (not just disable notifications). You should have five hours free during week three for the Square. You don't need to be creative, fit, or particularly motivated, you just need to show up.

• Who is NOT a good fit?

  People whose income depends on social media (see the work exemption below), people in active crisis or suicidal ideation (see a mental health professional first), people who aren't genuinely willing to delete apps, and people looking for a quick fix or motivation hack (this is a month-long commitment).

• What do I need?

  A smartphone (the one you're about to delete apps from), floor space for a 2m × 2m taped square, five hours free during week three, a quiet space for three video/audio calls, a way to post a letter (stamp + address), and willingness to be on camera and audio with nine strangers.

• What if social media is essential for my work?

  You take the work exemption. You get a 20-minute window, once per day, at a desk (not in bed, not on the couch). You access your accounts desktop-only.. no app, no phone. You declare this in week one so it's public and non negotiable for the rest of the month.

• What if I can't sit for five hours straight for the week 3 challenge?

  You can take a bathroom break, drink water, move around inside the square. The phone stays off, the journal stays open. If you have a genuine physical reason you can't sit for five hours (chronic pain, mobility issues), email us before you sign up—we'll work something out.

• What if I fail or relapse?

  You don't fail. If you reinstall an app during the month, the group will know. Week four, you state your choice out loud "all of it comes back" is a legitimate answer. We don't judge. The honesty is the outcome, not the abstinence. If you bail halfway through the Square, you write about why in your journal and show up to week four.

• What if I need to cancel?

  Cancellations before week one: full refund. Cancellations after week one starts: no refund (you've had access to the program). This is firm because we're holding a spot for you and turning away others.

• Do I need to download anything?

  No special apps. Zoom for the group calls. That's it. The shared accountability sheet is a simple Google Sheet (no login required, just a link).

• Is this safe for people with anxiety, depression, or ADHD?

  Yes, with caveats. Many people find this program genuinely helpful because it reduces stimulation and gives structure. But if you're in acute crisis or actively suicidal, you need a mental health professional, not a digital detox program. We'd recommend starting with therapy first. Withdrawal from compulsive checking is real, and the first 48 hours are often the hardest. By day three, most people feel relief. If you're genuinely concerned about your mental health response, talk to your doctor or therapist first.