So much resonates here, my friend. I've been off of social for 4-5 years now, and my general rule is that I never go check social (even though I still have accounts), but if friends or family send me an Instagram link/video I look at that. It does sometimes mean I'll flick through a couple other things. I think somehow assuming the identity of someone who's "off social media" helps me stop before it turns into a scroll-fest.
I often think about the person quoted in Stolen Focus who invented infinite scroll. He did some rough math on how much time he's taken from people's lives—of course now it's many thousands of collective years—and is deeply haunted by that. I think of him, and that fact, before I get swept in.
I do sometimes miss hearing big news, so-and-so has moved cities, started a new job, lost a parent, etc. I find, though, that when it's something I need to know, friends will text me things directly, like someone might update grandma who doesn't have the internet.
Like you, I worry about our kids', and how we protect them. It's one thing for me to be off of social, and for them it's how they plan to meet up, as well as place where there's infinite scroll, always-on performative posts, endless comparison, etc. etc. It's an ongoing discussion, which is why I'm so happy you're having these conversations.
I am so ready to be on this journey with you!
So much resonates here, my friend. I've been off of social for 4-5 years now, and my general rule is that I never go check social (even though I still have accounts), but if friends or family send me an Instagram link/video I look at that. It does sometimes mean I'll flick through a couple other things. I think somehow assuming the identity of someone who's "off social media" helps me stop before it turns into a scroll-fest.
I often think about the person quoted in Stolen Focus who invented infinite scroll. He did some rough math on how much time he's taken from people's lives—of course now it's many thousands of collective years—and is deeply haunted by that. I think of him, and that fact, before I get swept in.
I do sometimes miss hearing big news, so-and-so has moved cities, started a new job, lost a parent, etc. I find, though, that when it's something I need to know, friends will text me things directly, like someone might update grandma who doesn't have the internet.
Like you, I worry about our kids', and how we protect them. It's one thing for me to be off of social, and for them it's how they plan to meet up, as well as place where there's infinite scroll, always-on performative posts, endless comparison, etc. etc. It's an ongoing discussion, which is why I'm so happy you're having these conversations.