Over the last two decades, there has been a notable surge in digital technology. Social media platforms, websites, and email services have experienced significant growth, fundamentally altering the dynamics of human interaction in the 21st century. The usage of digital technology has been steadily increasing and is projected to witness a substantial rise.
The internet has become part of our lives. We can access any type of information with our gadgets. We can connect with millions of people and share thoughts. We can literally do anything using our gadgets. What a time to be alive!
Just with so many advantages, we have seen the bad side of technology too. You can just think of some, perhaps that relationship you lost because you couldn't leave your phone, the depressive thoughts you sustain from scrolling, the feelings of ‘I am not enough’, there's just so much!
Just to remind you, you are not alone! Many people find the digital age stressful and majorly overwhelming. What was once our slave has become our master. Something should be done. The fight is majorly individual though. Striking a balance between your real life and virtual life is an individual task.
In this article, we bring you a handful of information on how to strike that balance. Using social media but remaining sane.
In this article:
- The transformational era
- Social media addiction
- How to break social media addiction
The transformational era
The transition to the Digital Age was a gradual process that was influenced by advancements in technology.
Started with the development of electronic computers in the 1940s to the 1950s; largely used for scientific and military purposes. These became smaller until the invention of personal computers in the 1970s and 1980s; they reached personal use and organisations.
In the 1990s, the World Wide Web (WWW) made the internet accessible to the general public, revolutionising communication and information access. In the 2000s, mobile and smartphones were developed and this made information accessible on-the-go.
Between the 2000s and 2010s, there was a shift from analog to digital formats in music, video, and other media. Streaming services and digital distribution became mainstream. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube emerged. Cloud computing also emerged and allowed users to access and store data and applications remotely; a more flexible approach.
And here emerged the ‘Digital Natives’. Digital Natives is a term that was coined by an education consultant Marc Prensky, to refer to individuals who have grown up using the internet, social networks and mobile devices throughout their lives. In contrast to the digital immigrants who were not exposed to digital technology during their earlier years and had to adapt to it later in life.
Social media addiction
The combination of technological advancements that led to the Digital Age have had a pervasive impact on various aspects of human life including brain development. Whoa!
Brain scans from digital natives have shown highly developed regions of the left hemisphere of the brain; related to multitasking, decision-making and data procession and underdeveloped regions of the brain related to empathy, emotional development and social bonding.
Both Digital Natives and Digital immigrants can hardly leave their phones unchecked for more than a couple of minutes. Spending hours of their valuable time aimlessly surfing the net, comparing lives and refreshing Instagram and TikTok timelines. This is the ultimate addiction to tools that were developed to enhance our lives!
But Do you know why this is so ? Dopamine is the answer. Research shows that excessive use of the internet is linked to higher dopamine levels; a feeling of high and happiness. But we are paying such a huge price in return. A price with our own brains’ development, we are putting our human relationships at stake and wasting a lot of valuable time. To mention the depression, anxiety and panic attacks stemming from social media use.
You would now agree with me that something needs to be done. Wait, do not throw away your laptop. There's more to the fight. Read on !
How to break social media addiction
Studies and experts suggest a number of methods to break social media addiction. We have selected the most efficient ones and explained them in simpler non scientific terms to help you manage.
1.The Inbox zero method
The inbox zero is a method associated with keeping your inbox at zero messages at the end of each day. A mental health therapist explains that just like your cluttered home disrupts your mental fitness, so does a cluttered inbox.
Ensure that at the end of each day, you leave your inbox at zero and not attend to any messages that come in later that day, keeping them for the next day. If you are a person who is bothered by not replying, you may set automated replies until when you are available the next day.
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2. Choose peace of mind
Choose a time of the day, perhaps at the end of your working day and just sit, relax and do nothing. Do not seek for new input, information or any form of distraction. Whereas distraction has a place in stress relief , the solution is only short lived. Sitting down and thinking through your complexes will do you a long term good rather than scrolling for distractions.
If you are the kind of person with cumulative stress that you might find it hard to realise what exactly is the complex eating you up, choose stress relief non addictive components. You can rely on natural herbal supplements to be non addictive. Choose those with magnesium glycinate as these are the best stress relief supplements. You may also look for supplements for better mood or supplements to increase focus.
3. Boost your brain
Because social media use has been associated with giving a dopamine feeling of high, boosting your brain with dopamine eliciting foods will help break the addiction. Foods like dark cocoa chocolate, almonds, avocados, bananas, and pumpkin seeds.
Each time you feel like checking your phone,boost your brain with a morsel of chocolate, a banana or an almond shake to replace the dopamine feeling that comes from scrolling the media. However, while you choose this method, it is important to take keen note that you are not stress eating instead.
4.Set boundaries and stick to them
Set boundaries on what time you can and cannot use technology. You can choose times such as before bed, while eating , while with family as no phone time. Set these boundaries and stick to them for the earlier weeks. With time, your brain will become used to the pattern and will be much easier for you.
Take away
While the digital age has pervasive impacts on our generation, these can be undone. Realising how big such impacts are on an individual basis and working towards breaking the pattern will refurbish and revitalise you. Good luck on this journey.