Goodbye Worldwide Connection: The First Step
August 29, 2017
On August 28, 2017, I deleted all social media.
On my first day of TV 2, we had an intimate discussion about cell phones. We studied the graphs used in The Atlantic’s article “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?” and I, along with many classmates, were quick to disagree. Many students claimed that they used their phones for good and not evil. I piped up as well, claiming that I mainly use my phone to check news sites and do homework. Although this was a well intended comment, I quickly realized the truth behind it.
Snapchat. The most popular app used among teenagers (Business Insider). With the addition of the chat feature, many students around Fossil Ridge High School use it as their main form of communication. Up until now, I used it as my main form of communication. My own mom even had a Snapchat to send photos and chat messages.
How could Snapchat actually affect me though? Isn’t it good to be connected to people online? Not always. Everything needs to be used in moderation, and I quickly came to the realization that notifications took away my ability to keep it moderate. The fact that phones are so accessible made me even lonelier. Yes, I could contact my friend that lives all the way across the world, but when people who were just across the street didn’t message me back, my mind went rampant. I could be messaging my friends right now, so why aren’t they responding? I have the world in my pocket and yet, I didn’t feel any connection. That little blue arrow on Snapchat that signals “unread” haunted my subconscious.
For many months this went on. I found myself obsessing over not getting replies. Even not getting a response for a mere 15 minutes felt like forever. It is proven that every single time you get a notification, dopamine is released. This is the same chemical that is released when you hug someone. Not getting it drove me crazy. It truly is an addiction, and an addiction that needed to end.
Before I get into my personal rules, I thought I’d throw some disclaimers out there. The first is that I’m not out to force everyone to delete their social medias and preach about how it is ruining our generation. I am here to ask you to reevaluate how you use your social media and its effect on your happiness. The second is that turning off your social medias is not the end all be all to a life of perfection, although it can be a good start towards personal happiness. I encourage everyone to join in and create their own rules to take control of a successful life.
So, here are the rules for this experiment.
Rule #1-Delete all social media. For me, this means Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tumblr.
Rule #2-Delete all video streaming services. That means YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu. This rule can be broken in the case of watching with friends, family, or for homework. Apps may not be redownloaded to phone, but must be accessed via a different device.
Rule #3-Only basic internet access. The only times the internet can be used is for information, homework, and to access the Etched in Stone website.
Rule #4-No casual text conversations.. Only text in case of emergency, family, or to set up real life conversation.
From now on, I will force myself to experience the world as it is. I will no longer have to look at other people’s life experiments, but create my own. This experiment isn’t perfect, but it’s a start. I have no idea how long I’ll be on this journey, but you can bet on the fact that I am very enthusiastic and optimistic about the outcome. I’m happy to say goodbye to social media, and hello to a fresh start.
Katie Reed • Aug 30, 2017 at 10:38 am
Avree, I am so glad you are back on the Etched in Stone staff. I am definitely one to understand the need for a break from social media. I look forward to reading what you learned from this experience.
Keep up the great work!
Andres J. • Aug 30, 2017 at 6:32 am
This article is absolutely fascinating, and I would be interested to see a follow up after a few weeks of following your rules.
After recently deleting (just) Facebook myself, I’ve found that there are significant positive and negative effects on my life. In today’s world, technology is not just used for leisure, but to augment our lives in every day to day task. Though I agree that using social media and streaming services to occupy time is potentially unhealthy, I find that there are healthy and positive uses for these social media apps that goes beyond just wasting time. Snapchat can be used to maintain relationships with friends in other states or countries. Twitter is my main source of news and information, and I use YouTube videos and blogs as a way to reach out to communities of people that don’t exist or have a voice in the “real world.” The internet is a place where anything is possible at any time of day.
Thanks for the awesome article!! This is a fundamental part of our society that should be addressed more often. I look forward to reading more.
Mr. Gallagher • Aug 29, 2017 at 10:00 pm
I second Mr. DeGear’s note on the irony of posting a reply to this article, but I love this experiment! I look forward to hearing how it affects the ways that you interact with the world and your peers. I think the article in The Atlantic is identifying a lot of problems with the ways we use social media and smart phones in our lives, but there aren’t a lot of clear recommendations for how to actually live with self-discipline and purpose. I applaud your willingness to be a lesson for others, whatever the outcome of your personal experiment.
Mr. DeGear • Aug 29, 2017 at 9:51 pm
To comment on this article almost feeds the very monster you wish to starve, but I am so glad you have brought your voice back to the Etched in Stone staff.