Imagine this scenario - it’s a brand new day to be enthusiastic about life. You wake up all pumped to take the day by storm. The only caveat is that you decide to indulge in a hearty 10-minute scroll through various social platforms.
Before long, those 10 minutes have turned into 30, and now you’re left sad, questioning what you’re accomplishing in life. Is it relatable? More importantly, isn’t it absurd how social media can have such an impact on our mood and psyche?
We can say that we presently live in a social media world where 5.07 billion people use platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. In a way, it has been difficult to draw the line between the real world and the virtual one. In this article, we will discuss the effects of such platforms and ways to integrate real life into a world run by social media.
Impact of Digital Media (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)
Did you know that Facebook was not the first-ever social media platform? It may have been the most renowned to date, but the first recognizable social channel was Six Degrees. It was started in 1997 that enabled its users to generate personal profiles and connect with others.
Surprising as it may seem, even the currently popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram were started with similar purposes. The only difference is the features of each of the different networks. True to their original intent to some extent, social media channels have helped reunite long-lost friends, family members, and even romantic partners.
However, there is a stinging thorn to this rosy scenario. Over time, these platforms have become avenues for addiction, anxiety, comparison, and low self-esteem. Parents have seen such ill effects on their children, thereby filing an Instagram or Facebook lawsuit against such platforms’ developers.
According to TorHoerman Law, the litigation is in its early stages, and hence, no settlements have been made yet. It is expected that the average amount may range between $10,000 and $100,000. Around 40 US states have sued Meta, alleging that its platforms are designed to keep users stuck in a vicious spiral of scrolling aimlessly.
Studies have found that even children are using social media platforms. In a survey, 96% of parents affirmed that their kids had access to at least one such channel. Undoubtedly, the young folks are slowly being sucked into the cycle of social comparison. One can only imagine how bad the situation will get once these kids step into adulthood.
When used responsibly and sparingly, social media can be a positive. The only challenge is getting past the algorithms that serve their masters in getting users hooked. In truth, even adults are often unable to break free of an addictive pattern of social media usage.
Tips to Find Your Zen Zone
Are you struggling to balance your scroll in a social media-driven world? If yes, then here are a few tips to help you find your sanity.
Invest in Old-Fashioned Habits
Is it challenging for you to imagine a world where sending a quick text or indulging in easy-peasy entertainment was near impossible? Well, all that you need to do is put your smartphone aside and take a trip down history.
Until the late 1900s, people woke up from the sound of an alarm clock. If they wished to connect with a loved one, the only option was to dial their number on a conventional landline or visit them in person. These practices have almost become a lost art that needs to make a comeback.
When we allow our phones to replace such activities, we become more disconnected despite living in a world closely connected by social media. That’s why you should buy an alarm clock and let it wake you up.
This will reduce the possibility of scrolling through your phone first thing in the morning. Feeling homesick or nostalgic? Call the relevant individual or pay them a surprise visit. Remember that nothing beats real-life interactions and bonding!
Get on a Digital Detox
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the best way to lose weight is to practice intermittent fasting (even if your problem is binging on food). Similarly, the best method to put an end to social media addiction is to immediately go on a digital detox or fast.
More and more individuals from the millennial and Gen-Z generations are understanding the value of such detox and dumb phones. They are either temporarily disabling their social media platforms, sticking to only one or two useful channels, or completely going MIA from the virtual world.
Keep in mind that it may not be easy at the beginning. Just like any other addiction, your body will experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, a feeling of emptiness, fear of missing out, etc. The key is to pay no heed to your emotions and preach the truth to yourself.
In other words, remind yourself why you started the fast in the first place. Plus, this too shall soon pass, and you will discover the beauty of life without social media in ways you never thought before. Keep pushing in hopes of seeing this light at the end of the tunnel.
Resolve to Reject the Desire to Compare
After weeks or months of a digital fast, you may decide to get back to sharing your life exclusively with close friends and family. As we mentioned earlier, responsible and balanced use of social media is good.
Just make sure that you’re resolved to reject the urge for comparison. The time taken for detox is meant to be cathartic, purging you of negative mindsets and emotions that social media generates. The most common of these are comparison and low self-esteem.
You can choose to edit down your friends list to people who share positive content. Stick to enjoying the positive sides of these platforms by keeping in touch with those in different countries. Do not let social media make you feel like your life is somehow missing something that others have.
Even after all is said and done, the ultimate decision lies with you. If you feel like social media is a major hindrance to focus and productivity, quit it forever. Other reasons why some people never get back online include the desire to not magnify the insignificant and to retain one’s joy in life.
It may seem like a radical move to yourself or those around you, but the truth is you’re allowed to quit. What integrating real life into a social media world looks like may differ from person to person!
