Let’s face it, social media addiction is a thing. Many teens struggle with it, including myself. A common routine for myself is coming back from school and checking my phone to reply to my friend, and then ending up scrolling while I am waiting for their response. Then an hour of watching mindless content follows, and nothing gets done for two hours. So, in our first part, we will be talking about some methods to take control of social media before it takes control of us.
- The one hour rule
This rule is to keep off of social media for the first hour and last hour of the day to prevent it from disrupting your natural cycle. Science has shown that the beta waves caused by social media can lead to more stress and anxiety if you are exposed to them too early. Additionally, when you are preparing to go to sleep, your phone’s bluelight will lead to a harder time falling asleep. Personally, I have implemented this method for about a year, and it has helped me focus so much more when I am studying in the morning and prevents a day of bedrotting.
- Out of sight, out of mind
If we are being honest, the biggest distraction that you can have in a room is your phone. When you see that temptation, it is already naturally harder to focus on what you need to get done. So, when you are doing work, aim to put your phone in a different room or give it to someone until you are done.
- Boundaries
This method refers to limiting your time on social media with a certain screen time or time window for social media. However, this method is the one that’s probably the hardest to implement. You can try implementing a screen timer and using an app like Freedom to block it, or setting specific times to go on your phone.
Reality vs. the digital world
When you’re online, it can be hard to tell the difference between reality and that. This is why it is important to have an honest conversation about what you see on social media, and their reality. As it is a curated, edited, and revised version of someone that you see on their accounts, not their true selves.
- Comparison
You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again: Comparison is the thief of joy. The things you see online are the highlight reels of other people’s lives, so your daily life likely won’t match up to the “ideal life” presented online. It’s important to keep in mind that your life will probably be boring most of the time, as we spend most of it sleeping, eating, and going to school/work. It’s key to keep in mind that most of these influencers have had normal lives, as you cannot be constantly happy, excited, and having an amazing time. Feeling bad is normal, so try not to compare your life to others when it isn’t even an actual comparison.
- It could be fake
While someone’s life may seem perfect online, you never know what the reality behind the scenes could be. Many influencers often Photoshop, edit, and stage their posts and videos, so sometimes it isn’t even real. Additionally, what people present online is their best selves, typically hiding the things that they are struggling with or going through. Hence, if you ever feel jealous of one of them, you should remember that their amazing life could even be an illusion, as most of the time they need to create an image of perfection to achieve online success. . Comparing yourself to someone else’s curated version of their life can be pretty misleading. So all in all, it’s good to keep in mind that what you see online isn’t always the full story.
- Attractiveness
In this digital age, attractive people are everywhere. With just one swipe of our finger, we can see the most beautiful people in the world. This has messed up our perspective, as our brains were not meant to see so many attractive people in our lifetime. The way people look online does not reflect reality, so please do not hold yourself to the same standard as these models and celebrities. They get regular beauty treatments, makeup artists, dietitians, and physical trainers, and dedicate their entire career to looking good. Keep in mind that these people have a whole team helping them look that way, so it’s unfair to compare yourself to their edited, picture-perfect version.
Offline Activities
Even though social media is harmful, many of us still scroll and use social media. That’s why you need to have an activity that can replace your scrolling. You can try new creative pursuits, for example, painting, drawing, crocheting, or creating music. Or, you could pick up a new sport, try martial art, or start going to the gym.
In conclusion, managing social media is all about balance. Whether it’s through setting boundaries, creating offline activities, or recognizing the difference between reality and curated content, it’s crucial to take control before it starts impacting your mental health. Social media can be a fun way to destress but it shouldn’t control your self-worth or your time. By staying mindful of how you’re using it you’ll not only feel better but have more time to create your best life.