Latvia to mark “Afternoon Without Scrolling” on October 2
Samsung's “Solve for Tomorrow” initiative invites everyone in Latvia to pause aimless social media scrolling from 3pm to 6pm on October 2. The event is part of a youth ideas competition running until October 16.
On October 2, Latvia will take part in “Afternoon Without Scrolling,” an initiative encouraging people to consciously avoid aimless social media use between 3pm and 6pm. The event is organized by Samsung's youth ideas competition “Solve for Tomorrow.”
The goal is not to abandon technology altogether, but to notice moments when people reach for their phones automatically and use that time more intentionally instead — for movement, conversation, creative activities, or purposeful tech use. Egle Tamelīte, who leads the “Solve for Tomorrow” initiative in the Baltics, said the event encourages people to reconsider their digital habits.
A Samsung survey found that half of young people in Latvia would spend less time on social media if they could spend more time with friends or family, while 38% said a new hobby would motivate them, and 33% pointed to sports or outdoor activities.
Tips for the pause
Līga Bērziņa, head of Uzvediba.lv, recommends choosing a specific activity in advance to replace scrolling — such as cooking a recipe, reading a book, or going for a walk. She also suggests turning off notifications or using “Do Not Disturb” mode for a few hours, and taking on the challenge together with family, friends, or colleagues.
The initiative is part of the “Solve for Tomorrow” competition, whose message this year is “Stop scrolling. Start solving.” Teams of students in grades 9–12 can develop ideas in sports and technology or sustainability, with registration open until October 16 at solvefortomorrow.lv. The survey was conducted in August 2026 by research agency Norstat among 949 Baltic youths aged 14 to 19.
