Have you ever wondered where all your time goes when looking at your phone? This workshop is focused on habits and how they are formed. We will start by discussing habit formation and then explore the ways our phones have been designed to grab (and maintain) our attention. We will end by covering ways to establish boundaries through positive habits, and ultimately outsmart your smartphone.

This is an online participatory workshop consisting of short lectures, group discussions, stretch/movement breaks, and a breakout room activity.

Participants will leave with:

An understanding of how habits are formed

An understanding of the design tricks technologies use to keep us hooked

The ability to apply practical steps to keep their smartphones in check

Date and time: Wednesday, January 28, 12 - 1 pm ET

Location: Online via Zoom (link to be provided upon registration)

Instructors: Julia Martyniuk, Liaison and Education Librarian, Gerstein Science Information Centre, julia.martyniuk@utoronto.ca; Eden Kinzel, Liaison and Education Librarian, Gerstein Science Information Centre, eden.kinzel@utoronto.ca

Accessibility: The Gerstein Library is committed to making our workshops accessible to everyone. If you require accommodation to fully participate in this workshop, please contact Julia Martyniuk (julia.martyniuk@utoronto.ca) to discuss options.

This workshop is part of the U of T Libraries Data Detox Week, happening January 26-30, 2026. It uses material created for the Data Detox Kit by Tactical Tech, an international NGO that engages with citizens and civil-society organizations to explore and mitigate the impacts of technology on society.

Smart Phones, Smart Habits: A Data Detox Workshop

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