Goodbye lack of sleep: Start the 30-day challenge with Samsung in Vienna!

Goodbye lack of sleep: Start the 30-day challenge with Samsung in Vienna!

There is always something to experience in Vienna, and so a special event dedicated to sleep is just around the corner in September. Samsung invites you to the **Sleeptember Challenge**, a 30-day challenge that was created in collaboration with sleep coach Melanie Pesendorfer. This approach aims to promote awareness of better sleep. Participants receive weekly audio meditations and valuable tips directly to their inbox. Anyone who would like to take part can register until the end of September sleeptember.samsung.at Register and register for the big final event on September 29th at the Haus des Meeres.

But that's not the only highlight Vienna has in store this month. The **Internet Summit Austria 2025** will take place on the same day, with the focus on the topic of digital democracy. With around 140 guests, important questions about a self-determined IT infrastructure, Europe's technical dependence and digital discourse will be addressed. This discussion will be complemented by a panel discussion with representatives of the parliamentary parties, which underlines the political relevance of the topic.

From AI to the media landscape

At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly finding its way into our lives, Studies take a critical look at the effects of social media and its manipulation. In fact, the population's information consumption behavior has changed significantly in recent years. According to a report from the Federal Agency for Civic Education, access to reliable information is crucial for democracy. Influencers in particular have established themselves as an alternative source of trust, which is reflected in the population's fluctuating trust in traditional media. Trust in the media has fallen from 48% in 2023 to 47% in 2024, and trust in the government is also only at 42%.

This changing media landscape poses risks. Algorithms control our online behavior and can easily be used for manipulation. Social networks are not only platforms for information and exchange, but also a breeding ground for disinformation and emotional activation. In recent years, content has increasingly been shared that leads to a polarization of society, which has a negative impact on public debate.

Sleep quality in the context of the digital world

The issue of sleep quality is brought to the fore primarily by the ubiquitous use of smartphones and social media. A study from the University of Western Ontario shows that there is a significant connection between excessive social media use and mental health and sleep quality. Young people are particularly affected, as over 50% also use screens within an hour of going to bed, which significantly shortens the amount of time they sleep.

Excessive social media use leads to sleep disorders and affects not only sleep quality but also mental health. FOMO – the fear of missing out – prevents many from ending their evening on the screen peacefully. Strategies for better sleep quality include digital time-outs and the use of blue light filters to minimize the influence of devices on sleep.

In summary, it shows that in hectic everyday life, a balance between digital connection and offline activities is essential. Samsung's **Sleeptember Challenge** could start right here and provide an impetus for reflection on one's own sleeping habits, while social events such as the **Internet Summit Austria 2025** promote essential discourses about the digital future.

For more information on current topics relating to social media and their effects, it is worth taking a look at the articles bpb.de and sleepapnea-heilen.de.