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Is social medial use a form of addiction? Is social media good for my mental health? How much is this really affecting me?
There are a lot of articles and videos trying to answer those questions. Some of the conclusions are pretty scary especially for young ladies. In this post I want to explore some of the concerns with social media.
First, I want you to consider this very important question. Are you controlling social media or is it controlling you? It is a fact that social media is designed to get as much of our time and attention as possible. Developers have certain tools they use to keep us engaged. When we understand these tools and how they affect us, we can learn how to take back the social media controls.
Tool #1 Notifications
This one is so frustrating because we hear that ping and then we feel anxious until we answer the ping. It’s like we are slaves to it. So, here is somethings we can do to put that ping back in its place.
For me, the worst time for notifications is in the morning because what those notifications contain can set the tone for the rest of my day. Mrs. Shelia Butt, the founder of Sister Servants Soldiers has a motto that I am trying to adopt. Her motto is Word before the world. She tries to read God’s Word before she lets any messages from the world penetrate her day. Isn’t that awesome?
There are some ways that we can keep those notifications from disturbing us.
Tip #1 Turn them off
In the settings of most apps, you can control what notifications you get and when. I have chosen to turn off all notifications to my social media apps. I want to visit social media on my own time instead of having notifications tell me when it’s time.
You can also give your phone its own bedtime. In the clock settings on iphones, you can put your phone to sleep for certain periods of time. I like to do this from the time I go to bed until the time I expect to be done reading my Bible. Walla! Word before the world!
Tool #2 Likes
Whenever we get a like, it stimulates the release of dopamine in our brain which makes us feel good. Because it feels so good, we keep coming back for more. Not only does this keep us posting, but if we do not get likes, it may plummet our feeling of self-worth. Then we start playing negative messages in our heads, very much like mirror messages. We also tend to compare how many likes we have to how many likes others have. When others have more than us, it may lead to jealousy or again feelings of low self-worth.
Tip #2 Change Your Settings
You can control this much like the notifications. In your settings, you can turn off your notifications for getting likes. A little Word before the world would be helpful on this one as well. Our worth comes from God. When we fill ourselves up with His love, it’s easier for us to use social media in positive ways.
Tool #3 Infinite Scroll
This is the most popular but not the only tool developers use to keep us on social media. We get so zoned in with our F.O.M.O. that we unconsciously spend a lot more time than we intended. We are like deer in the headlights.
We need something to pull us out of that trance.
Tip #3 Pre-Determined Time
Before you get on your media, decide how much time you want to spend on it and then set a timer. The annoying sound of a timer going off typically does the trick to pull you away. A friend of mine also suggested getting on during a busy time of the day, that way your time is automatically limited by your busy schedule.
Another tip is to delete the app off your phone and keep it on a iPad or computer that way it is not easily accessible all the time.
Final Tip: Don’t compromise your standards just because its trending
Another thing media has awakened in us is the “it’s just a little bit” syndrome. Through media, we have become so much more accepting of sin because, “I mean, it’s just a little bit. It won’t hurt me. I am stronger than that.” Psalms 101:3 warns,
“Take heed lest you fall. Walk in integrity while you are in your house.”
This is the verse I always go back to on this issue because it can be so easy to think no one is going to see what I am looking at or how I am using my social media. As Christians, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to walk in our integrity even when no one is looking.
While there are certainly down sides to social media, we can also use social media to fulfill our calling in spreading the gospel and encouraging one another daily. It all comes down to a question, “Are you controlling your media, or is it controlling you?”
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