Taking Power Back From Big Tech.
Working together FOR safer socials.
Welcome to a space where together we can ponder what we want our digital lives to look like, and meet the groups who are working towards building an online world we all want and can benefit from.
As the internet grew and became available in all our homes, the idea and dream was that ordinary people all over the world could connect directly. That people would no longer be reliant on mainstream media or government issued information, but instead could communicate across borders,cultural and language barriers. A connected world of people sharing thoughts, information and fun.
The World Wide Web grew and social media platforms were developed and launched, promising a streamlined way for people to connect with others worldwide and become part of each others’ lives. However, it didn’t take long for this shiny idea to tarnish. Before any of us even realised it was happening, our online spaces became owned and controlled by billionaire corporations, who made changes to their platforms to keep us addicted using predatory algorithms and features, where our safety was sacrificed on the altar of profit and where our data was for sale.
Most of us have experienced at least some of the problems created by the way social media platforms are currently owned and operated, spending countless hours doomscrolling to the detriment of our mental health and at the expense of more beneficial activities. We have seen how the hate and division on our mobile screens has spilled out on our streets. We’ve witnessed elections and democratic process being subverted. We’ve had our personal data bought and sold countless times and used in ways we have no knowledge or control over.
But the old dream of a safe, diverse and exciting world wide web doesn’t need to die. If we are all aware of the problems, we can all join together to get back to a digital world that allows us to thrive.There are many out there, from tech insiders to youth groups, who are campaigning, lobbying and mobilising to bring about a healthier, safer, and more democratic online world where social media works for us, rather than against us and where you can find resources to reclaim your time.
This website exists as a place to help connect you with these groups, so that you can add your voice to theirs.
Click one of the links below to begin your journey
I’m concerned about the impact of social media on children
I want to get involved in shaping the future of digital media
I’m looking for tools to help manage my time online in a more healthy way
I’m ready to take action to stop the harmful behavior of big tech and take back control
Lush’s Digital Ethics Campaigning History
Lush have been actively working and campaigning around digital ethics for a long time. Perhaps the biggest step we have taken is coming off the main social media platforms - Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X - due to concerns around how those platforms operated and the impact that had on their users and wider society.
Following is a brief timeline of our work to take power back from big tech and strive for safer socials.
2016
On Black Friday 2016, in partnership with Access Now Lush launched its first ever digital rights campaign. Lush websites around the globe were ‘switched off’, confronting users with a fake shutdown and urging them to take action.
The worldwide #KeepitOn campaign was designed to raise awareness of the impact of internet shutdowns. It was accompanied by a limited edition bath bomb called Error 404, which raised funds for a Digital Fund to help keep the internet on around the globe.
2018
In light of Facebook declaring that 29 million users’ data had been leaked because of a bug, Lush created and sold a limited edition tote bag at The Next Web 2018 conference with the slogan “What the Zuck?” Proceeds went into the Lush Digital fund, supporting tech for good initiatives globally.
2020
On 5th September 2020 Lush partnered with IAMWHOLE and Zoe Sugg in Digital Detox Day – to advocate for putting our devices down for one whole day and to focus on our mental health.
The campaign was a huge success, with hundreds of thousands taking part around the world. To coincide we also released an exclusive bath bomb called IRL. Money raised went into the Wholeness Fund, which aims to make grants available to grassroots groups focusing on mental health and wellbeing across the world.
2021
We made the decision to step away from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat globally, following the release of the Facebook Files by Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen, and they confirmed our fears about the negative impact of social media. According to the report, 13.5% of young girls who used Instagram in the UK had an increased rate of suicidal thoughts.
The algorithms were also reportedly responsible for the spread of misinformation and violence in developing countries.
Worst of all, the report stated that Meta knew how to address these issues and chose not to.
2023
We continued the conversation at SXSW in Austin Texas with the Lush House, hosting tech demos and talks, joined by Frances Haugen discussing what a social future could look like.
Lush x The Future Laboratory Report
With a belief that tech should give more than it takes, Lush worked alongside strategic foresight consultancy The Future Laboratory, to commission the report: Digital Engagement: A Social Future.
Findings include 55% of the 12,000 consumers we surveyed want Big Tech to have less control online, while 70% are calling for global legislation that protects the safety of users online. The report formed the basis for The SOCIAL Framework manifesto. A set of six principles, for digital spaces, platforms and engagement, designed to enable a techno-optimist future to flourish.
On Black Friday 2023, Lush left X due to concerns following the takeover by Elon Musk. We also launched our campaign with People vs Big Tech to raise funds for their work to rein in the handful of Big Tech companies that have monopolised the Internet with intrusive surveillance, predatory addictive-algorithms, harmful content and echo chambers.
Lush ecommerce sites in the UK&I, United States, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Japan, Australia and New Zealand sold a limited edition bath bomb called The Cloud.
2025
Back at SXSW, this time we hosted a panel discussion on the topic of free speech and hate speech and questioning who is accountable.
Introducing the Safer Socials policy, a focus of people over platforms highlighting how the majority of the public do not believe social media platforms do enough to protect users from harm, following Lush’s commissioned report with The Future Laboratory, surveying 12,000 people globally.
Safer Socials Summit - London
In November we co-hosted our first Safer Socials Summit with People vs Big Tech in London. We brought together creatives, campaigners, tech justice experts, like-minded businesses and Lush staff to discuss the abuse of power by Big Tech and to start conversations about what can be done to create stronger communities, businesses and brighter futures.
2026
We launched our Safer Socials campaign in all of our stores in the UK, Europe, United States and Canada, with plans to roll it out to other countries in the coming months.
