TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat are some of the most downloaded and used apps of all time — all categorized as social media. These platforms encourage users to create, post, and express their creativity on a monitored network that curates feeds for each specific user. Often, the feeds trap users into a fake reality of scrolling and retweeting. Has anyone ever sat down and actually thought about how weird our obsessions are with these apps? Our phones constantly feed us fake information, photoshopped models, and cats playing guitars — all of it is not real, an unhealthy realm of entertainment that so many cannot escape.
I myself have struggled with addiction to social media, and the infinite amount of loopholes it puts us through. Instead of studying harder for my classes or spending quality time with my pets, I am envying famous influencers editing their faces for fame or watching the latest release of “Spend 72 Hours on a Deserted Island With Me! Tigers and Snakes! Do I Survive? NOT CLICKBAIT!” This was, in fact, clickbait. And I just wasted two hours of my life.
Below, I’ll give you different tips and tricks to help limit social media usage and create a healthier screen-time lifestyle. I understand that not everything will work, or maybe all of these examples will! I encourage everyone that uses some form of social media for at least an hour a day to test out one of these methods for a week.
Set Time Limits, Screen-Free Zones
I love designating screen-free zones in my apartment or at home during breaks and holidays. It’s a small way to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the real one. Whether it’s the dining table or the cozy reading nook, these spaces encourage face-to-face conversations and relaxation without the distraction of screens. Plus, it’s a great excuse to cozy up with a good book or have a tech-free game night with friends or family!
Allowing yourself time limits on certain apps that may cause stress or a distraction from school, social gatherings, or other hobbies/free time activities is one of the most helpful ways to combat screen and social media addiction. To set time limits on certain apps or control screen time in general, you can use built-in features on your device or download apps designed for this purpose. Simply go to your device’s settings, find the screen time or app limits section, and customize your preferences to help maintain a healthy balance between screen time and real-life activities!
The third tip within this section is to put aside your phone or device at least a half hour before you go to bed. The blue light emitted from screens can mess with your sleep quality, and a girl always needs her beauty sleep. I have been using this screen-reducing strategy since the start of the semester and it has helped me get more hours of rest, and not overwhelm myself so much at night or the next morning. The phone’s notifications can disrupt your relaxation and make it harder to unwind, so by giving yourself that break you can feel more awake and ready for the day in the morning!
DeClutter Your Phone and Following
Obsession and jealousy are two very dangerous ways to live. Social media contributes to these habits throughout teenagers and young adults — especially among women. As teens go through their childhood and adulthood, they will come across lots of friendships and relationships, a majority of which have stemmed or grew from social media or an online connection. Maintaining a connection with an old flame or group of friends and family that are not in your life anymore may prevent you from moving on emotionally, as you’re constantly reminded of their life and activities, potentially stirring up unresolved feelings or jealousy. It can also lead to overanalyzing their posts and actions. Sometimes, it’s best to create some distance and focus on your own life and relationships to ensure personal growth and emotional healing over seeing their every move and like online. Unfollow them, girl!
Unfollowing influencers can also be a wise choice for girls’ mental health and body image. Influencers often curate their content to present an idealized version of themselves, creating unrealistic beauty standards that can negatively impact self-esteem. Constant exposure to carefully edited and filtered images can foster feelings of inadequacy, which is why taking a break from following influencers can lead to a more positive and authentic self-image. It’s important to prioritize genuine self-acceptance and self-worth over constantly comparing oneself to the curated images presented by influencers on social media.
Decluttering is a satisfying activity to do on the weekends or on a study break. Going through unused apps, years-old screenshots from middle school, or games no longer played can help clear up your feed and vision when using your electronic devices. If you haven’t, take 15 minutes out of your life and do a quick clean-out of your phone!
Do Not Disturb Mode
Do Not Disturb mode is a lifesaver when you’re in the zone, whether you’re working, reading, or just chilling. Silencing those notifications helps you stay focused and in control of your own time — no distractions allowed!
To personalize “Do Not Disturb” notifications on your phone, go to your device’s settings and look for the “Do Not Disturb” or “Sound and Notification” section. From there, you can customize which contacts or apps can break through the silence, set specific schedules for when it’s active, and even allow repeated calls from certain contacts in case of emergencies. On my iPhone, I have different emojis for my specific schedules — sleeping, studying, gym, and family/friend outings. Have fun with designing your own DND modes! Setting up a system or routine shouldn’t become stressful or overly challenging, and our gadgets can actually make it easier and even give us tips based on our daily or weekly usage.
Pick Up New Habits!
Limiting screen time can be a game-changer when it comes to rediscovering old hobbies or exploring new ones. By reducing the hours spent scrolling through social media or binge-watching TikToks, you free up time and mental space to dive back into those neglected interests or pick up fresh, exciting activities.
It’s all about finding that balance between the digital world and the real one, allowing you to nurture your passions and create a more fulfilling, well-rounded life. Some hobbies I would recommend looking into (or getting back into) that I enjoy and get me away from using my phone include:
- Writing/journaling — whether it is jotting down your thoughts in the moment, creating a short poem or story, or writing an entire page about your day and the adventures you went on, writing can declutter your mind and stretch out your fingers.
- Art — painting or sketching is a very fun activity. No one will judge you on how realistic the picture looks, let your brain get creative and thoughts will flow through the pencil or brush.
- Going to the gym or HGW — working out helps me release stress, both physically and emotionally. Starting up (or getting back into) the gym or lifting weights is something I highly recommend if you want to better your body and your mind. A good two in one! If you enjoy the outdoors and walking, take up HGWs (hot girl walks).
- Reading — sitting down in a comfy chair or bed and taking up a new book, regardless of the genre, is one of the most relaxing hobbies to do in your free time. You can also read up on scientific articles, anatomy textbooks, historical journals, or the latest news to maintain an academic mindset!
If none of these particularly inspire you, search online or ask friends/family what they do to remain stress-free or busy-yet-relaxed! (Or, look around the Her Campus website to find what others do.)
Becoming Mindful
This habit is, in my opinion, the most important takeaway to cleanse yourself of social media harm and any unhealthy outlets in general. Mindfulness allows your body and mind to heal of stress and negativity, increase your overall happiness and restore lost energy; a secret weapon for personal growth, helping you get in tune with your thoughts and feelings. One of the articles that I found most helpful for me and discovering my true self was “Stuck In Your Own Head?” by Ellie Apelian, linked below.
The two most efficient tips I found helpful for myself were journaling and installing apps that can keep me mindful of both my social media usage and of my own mental and emotional feelings. By providing me daily check-ins or providing me inspirational quotes for a hard exam I have coming up, these apps have allowed me to feel more down to Earth and monitor my phone usage more.