Welcome readers! I bet you are reading this article after checking social media of some sort. Did you recently get sucked into a thread of videos on Facebook or creep too long on someone’s social media account? Although social media offers wonderful opportunities and provides easy communication with family and friends, sometimes it can be consuming and distract from your day.
I interviewed one of our students, Sydney Schoff, a communication major on the subject of social media. Sydney shared online that she was taking a break from social media and I found this interesting and inspiring! So let’s see what Sydney has to say about her experience.
Meet Sydney: Hiya neighbors! I’m Sydney, but most people end up calling me Syd within the first 5 minutes of meeting me. I am a senior (yikes… when did that happen?) communication major and children’s studies minor from Bel Air, MD. Though it is not where The Fresh Prince was filmed, I do know all the words to the theme song. On campus I am involved with the Fred Rogers Scholars, campus ministry, and various communication department events. I have loved and cherished every moment of my time in Mister Rogers’ neighborhood, and I can’t wait to see where this next year takes me!
#1- What inspired you to take a break from social media?
Sydney: I’ve done a media fast a few times. My freshman year I had to do one for my Intro to Mass Media class with Dr. Harvey. My most recent media fast was also a class assignment for Dr. Harvey’s Media Literacy class. But over the summer I decided to do an unassigned fast from social media just because it was becoming really toxic for me. I found I was comparing myself to every single picture I looked at on Instagram. It was such a mess. So I deleted all the apps off my phone until I felt that I really could go back and have a healthy relationship with it.
#2- How do you feel social media affects society?
Sydney: Social media is such a powerful tool when used correctly. I think social media influences every part of our lives, whether we think it does or not. But when people are able to be mindful about their media use, taking time to understand why others are posting what they do and thinking about why they post their own things, that’s when social media can be an amazing tool for powerful social change. If we use social media blindly we can fall prey to its downfalls like intense comparison, fake news, trolls, etc.
#3- Were there any upsides or downsides to your social media cleanse?
Sydney: An upside was that I looked at the news more! But I guess that’s also a downside because the news is pretty depressing these days. Instead of scrolling through social media I
was able to focus more on what was going on in the world larger than my own little bubble. Another downside was that as I gave up YouTube I really missed the content that I typically viewed.
#4- Why should others try this experiment for themselves?
Sydney: Others should try this experiment because most people have never had to be without social media since they made their accounts. For most of us we have been glued to our social media accounts since middle school, maybe younger. We don’t really know our 20-something selves without social media. Taking a break from social media will reveal why these platforms actually matter to you, or that you can live your life just as well without it.
#5- What tips do you recommend to someone who wants to take an online break?
Sydney: My major tip would be to give up something you really think is going to challenge you. And to actually delete the apps from your phone! It’s really hard to not go on them when they’re still sitting in their normal spot or in a folder. So, write down your passwords and take the jump to delete your apps completely!
I love Sydney’s tips! I personally think everyone can benefit from taking a step back from social media to focus on other aspects of life. Getting caught up in every little detail of someone else’s life will not change your own. You are in control of your future and a social media cleanse can be just what you need to figure out your own goals. I hope this challenge makes you think twice the next time you spend your night jumping from one social media platform to the next.
Good luck to you and your future social media fast!
HCXO,
Marley