There has always been pressure to be online. I remember first getting Instagram when I was 13 because the YouTubers I watched had it. I wanted to fit into that space, and now I can’t put it down.
Getting constant notifications drew me deeper, and especially with the rise of TikTok, algorithms have only become more addicting. When a user interacts with a post by liking, commenting, sharing, or saving, it causes more of those videos to show on their “For You” page. This creates a curated reality where the consumer’s entire media consumption is made up by them and their decisions; it just doesn’t feel that way.
“Digital detoxing” refers to taking a break from using devices like smartphones and computers, offering a chance to alleviate stress and prioritize face-to-face interactions. Social media fatigue is ever-growing. The state of emotional and mental exhaustion caused by excessive screen time has longer-lasting effects than many realize.
Ironically, I stumbled upon this concept on TikTok, which terrifyingly 52% of younger adults use to get news. The user, Alex Traca, gives tips on “how to have a successful digital detox” and writes, “a digital detox isn’t total tech rejection; it’s simply a way to allow you to reconnect with the present moment and take control over our digital lives.” She highlights tips like scheduling “off screen” times and then scheduling “social media check-ins.” This balance could help battle things like the fear of missing out (“FOMO”) which many people experience when scrolling on their “For You” page or any social media platform.
A friend of mine recommended “one sec,” an app whose mission is to stop and pause before continuing. When interacting with the app you want less screen time to, it tells you to “stop and take a deep breath,” then opens to show the number of attempts of use in the last 24 hours. I have this connected to my TikTok and I find that I use it less as it makes me think about what productive tasks I could be doing instead.
Spending less time on social media has improved my motivation and productivity, and even as this seems obvious given the toxicity of social media use with how roped into media we can be, you don’t realize how liberating a digital detox is until you go through with it.
To address the obvious, this is easier said than done. I love scrolling through all of my socials before bed and seeing what other people are up to. Being involved in journalism, I justify this habit by telling myself that it’s to keep up with news or trends. But it can be done in a much smaller dose. Like Traca preaches, setting aside time to check the news or social media really is helpful. I find reading the news while I eat is always my go-to.
When I wonder how to decrease my social media use, I will go to TikTok to find the answer, which is what makes this ironic. There are entire accounts like Traca’s dedicated to mindfulness and going through a digital detox. Whether we like it or not, technology is continuously growing, including having the answers on how to get away from it.
