There is something about social media lately that has been irritating me more than usual. I can’t scroll by the hate that is spewing from my computer any longer. Especially the sites that categorise themselves as social.
How is your relationship with the media lately?
Erik Qualman says it quite perfectly;
We don’t have a choice whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.
Whether it be the debate around equality, the brewing tensions in North Korea and the world. The overwhelming hatred that pours forth around Islam and refugees and the debacle that is outworking itself in the leadership of the United States.
Then you come home to more local issues, friends spewing forth vitriol over other friends. Family members using platforms to debate one another and churches manipulating their members through campaigns.
Social Media is far from social and we need strategies to be able to find our way through the mess.
THOUGHTS I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYING TO RE-SOCIALISE MY SOCIAL PAGES
- Do more things that make you forget to look at your phone
- Download an app that tells you how many hours a day you are using your phone
- If you feel angry, overwhelmed or sad take 24 hours before responding online
- Employ the tactic, would I say this on a stage in front of 1,000 people? If so, go ahead and write it. If not, then phone a friend.
- Have a switch off time policy and a turn on time policy.
The pressure we feel culturally to constantly be accessible, to be answering each other’s requests and demands is not sustainable.
You have to find a way to employ wisdom in the addictive nature of this forum.
If you are struggling within the culture of this part of our lives, message me, comment here and together let’s hold one another accountable to living more socially.
Disconnect.
Unplug.
Re-engage with people in your everyday.
Get outside.
This will make all the difference.
I promise.
Amanda
