Source: Own Illustration
We all use them and can’t get enough of them. We’re talking about social media channels, of course. They accompany us through our everyday lives, offering inspiration and fun breaks. However, we are also familiar with situations where we open a channel out of habit and then frown as we look at our screen time. So here are a few tips on how to reestablish a more conscious approach to social media channels.
Tip 1: Choose Your Channels and Apps Carefully
Focus on those that are good for you – platforms and apps that allow you to maintain positive and meaningful contact with friends and family. You should remove anything that stresses you out or triggers negative feelings from your smartphone – and banish it from your everyday life.
Tip 2: Avoid Platforms That Make You Feel Insecure
If platforms show content that irritates or even disturbs you, take some time to think about whether you want to continue engaging with it – or whether it would be better to distance yourself from it.
Tip 3: Scrolling Out of Boredom
Do you quickly scroll through your feed or skip videos before they’re even finished? A new study has found that constant consumption and distraction can increase boredom and dissatisfaction. So it’s best to set a timer or time limit for your app. This will help you limit your time on the app and prevent endless scrolling.
You can also sort the pages/creators you follow to regulate the content you see, and you’ll be shown more things you really like.
Note: Regularly reviewing your “Followed” list can help you make your channel more inspiring.
Tip 4: Just Put it Down
If you notice that your consumption has become more routine or even a kind of “addiction,” it can also help to schedule conscious times without social media, uninstall the apps in the meantime, or seek professional help. Social media is there to entertain and even inspire us – not to make us feel bad or doubt ourselves.
A quick note at the end: if you notice any instances of hate speech or incitement on the internet, report them! Every platform has a very simple procedure for doing so. We are all responsible for maintaining a positive atmosphere on social media and we all play a key role in this. So always be kind to each other, report hate speech and remove content that is not good for you!
Responsible for the content of this article is Merrit Mielke.
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