Podcast Summary
Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with Social Media: Set boundaries, take breaks, curate a positive feed, seek support, be mindful of potential negatives, and take steps back if needed.
Maintaining a healthy relationship with social media involves finding a balance between the positive and negative experiences. For some, this may mean setting boundaries or taking breaks, while for others, it could mean curating a feed that promotes positivity and inspiration. It's important to recognize that social media can have both benefits and drawbacks, and being mindful of our usage can help us make the most of it. Additionally, the episode discussed the importance of seeking support and community online, while also being aware of the potential for negative experiences such as cyberbullying or exposure to triggering content. To help make the most of your social media experience, consider setting goals for your use, taking breaks when needed, and being intentional about the content you consume. And remember, it's always okay to take a step back if social media is no longer serving you positively. Finally, if you're a listener of NPR's LifeKit, be sure to complete the anonymous survey at npr.org/podcastsurvey to help make the show even more useful and enjoyable for you.
Social media platforms keep users engaged through addictive features: Social media platforms use features like pull to refresh, endless scroll, autoplay, notifications, and algorithms to keep users engaged for longer periods, potentially impacting personal well-being, democracy, and society negatively. Be aware and limit usage if necessary.
Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, and companies use various features to keep users engaged for longer periods. This includes pull to refresh, endless scroll, autoplay, notifications, and algorithms that show users more of what they like and less of what they don't. According to Chaka McGlotten, an anthropologist and professor of media studies at Purchase College, we need to question whether our use of social media is an enthusiastic consent or a result of habit inculcated through design and social pressure. While these platforms offer benefits such as hosting communities and supporting political movements, they can also negatively impact our personal well-being, democracy, and society as a whole. As Tristan Harris, a former design ethicist at Google and tech critic, argues, these companies are a legitimate threat. It's essential to be aware of these tactics and take steps to limit our usage if necessary. Apple Card users can earn daily cash rewards of up to 3% on purchases, but remember, the real reward should be a healthy relationship with technology.
Shift your mindset towards viewing online connections as meaningful: Treat social media as a meaningful activity to discover truths about yourself and foster deeper connections with others.
Our perception of social media as less real than real life may be hindering us from having a healthier relationship with it. According to Chris Stedman, author of IRL, we need to start viewing online connection as meaningful and valuable, just like offline connections. This means paying attention to our behaviors and interactions on social media, recognizing that they have real-life consequences, and taking responsibility for the content we put out into the world. By shifting our mindset and treating social media as a meaningful activity, we can discover truths about ourselves and foster deeper connections with others.
Online Activities: Shallow Play or Deep Engagement?: Consider if your online activities foster meaningful connections or just provide shallow distractions. Reflect on your goals and take breaks when needed.
It's essential to reflect on why and how we use the internet, and whether our online activities bring us deeper connections or just shallow distractions. Author Chris Bateman categorizes these interactions as "shallow play" (mindless scrolling and hoping for viral content) and "deep play" (experimenting with identity, forging relationships, and learning). To determine which category our online activities fall into, we can ask ourselves what we truly want from our time online and consider what already enhances our lives positively. Additionally, listening to our bodies' signals for breaks and movement can help us avoid unhealthy internet habits.
Assess and curate digital spaces yearly: Regularly evaluate social media use, delete unwanted accounts, and limit access to enrich digital life
It's important to regularly assess and curate our digital spaces, including social media, to ensure they bring us joy and value. Marie Kondo suggested going through our following lists at least once a year to determine which accounts to keep and which to delete. Chaka took it a step further by implementing intentional guidelines and obstacles, such as logging into certain apps through a browser or turning off notifications, to limit their social media use. Ultimately, both Marie and Chaka emphasized the importance of prioritizing our time and energy on platforms that truly enrich our lives. Whether it's through deleting apps, leaving certain platforms behind entirely, or taking a break for a set period, the key is to opt out when necessary and create a healthy balance in our digital lives.
Finding a healthy balance in our relationship to the Internet: Be intentional and mindful of online behavior, prioritize silence and escape, and utilize features to promote healthier habits. Platforms can also contribute by encouraging breaks and providing tools to manage online interactions.
While social media detoxes can bring relief from anxiety and stress, the absence of social media isn't the only solution for finding meaning and belonging online. Chris, our social media evangelist, found that taking a break from social media during his writing process felt great, but it wasn't the absence of social media that made him feel at ease. Instead, it was the silence and escape from the constant noise and problems of the world. However, for some individuals, particularly those with high visibility or who suffer from harassment, the Internet can be harmful, and opting out might be the best choice. Ultimately, individuals can change their relationship to the Internet by being more mindful of their online behavior and motivations. Yet, the platforms themselves prioritize keeping users online, making it challenging to swim against the current. Features like blocking, muting, hiding, and unfollowing can help promote healthier online habits, and TikTok even encourages users to take breaks. In summary, finding a healthy balance in our relationship to the Internet requires intentional effort and mindfulness, as well as potential changes from the platforms themselves.
Maintaining a healthy relationship with social media: Regularly check-in with yourself, define personal goals, Marie Kondo accounts, prioritize offline activities, and take breaks.
Having a healthy relationship with social media requires mindfulness, self-reflection, and active participation. Social media platforms are designed to be addicting, so it's essential to remember this and regularly check in with yourself about your usage. A healthy relationship with social media is personal and unique to each individual. To maintain this relationship, consider defining what it means to you, Marie Kondo-ing your social media accounts, and taking periodic breaks. Remember, social media is just one aspect of your life, and it's crucial to prioritize other activities, such as spending time in nature or engaging in offline hobbies. It's an ongoing process, and the key is to be mindful of your usage and make conscious choices to create a balanced and fulfilling digital life.
Uncovering the truth about police accountability in California: Through extensive research, NPR and KQED revealed the limitations of transparency in investigations of police use of force and misconduct in California, and introduced podcasts and sponsors offering unique perspectives on various topics.
Transparency in investigations of police use of force and misconduct in California has been limited, but through extensive research, NPR and KQED have uncovered who the system of police accountability truly serves and protects. Listen to their new podcast to learn more. Additionally, sponsors Charles Schwab and Grammarly were highlighted. Charles Schwab sponsors NPR's Choiceology podcast, which explores the psychology and economics behind people's decisions through true stories from various sources. Grammarly, an AI writing partner, offers businesses easier and more efficient writing solutions. Lastly, the documentary podcast "Track Change" offers a unique perspective by recording an album inside Richmond City Jail, allowing listeners to hear the stories of four men trying to break free from cycles of addiction and incarceration.
