A Teenager’s Guide To Social Media Detox

What is Social Media Detox?

A Social Media Detox is the duration of time when you willingly refrains from using social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, etc. Social Media Detox mainly focuses on improving well-being. This form of detoxification is widely practised, as many individuals who spend a lot of time on digital devices and the internet are finding it difficult to perform usual tasks. It is also popular across age groups; teenagers, parents and even professionals. People have consciously started to reduce their social media consumption for their physical and mental well-being.

Effects Of Too Much Exposure To Social Media

Everyone experiences or has experienced pros and cons of spending too much time online. While it can help you stay connected with family and friends worldwide, allows quick access to information and opportunities, the disadvantages of Social Media are overwhelming.

The medium on its own is not a problem, it is the way people use it for actual communication and socialising that leads to the drawbacks. Your “friends” on any of the social media apps, people who you have never met are not necessarily the right kind of friends you should have. We’ve all read, heard and even seen cases where children, teens and even adults have been lured and caused harm by strangers posing as well wishers.

If you are spending the majority of your time glued to the phones on social media, beware of addiction, cyberbullying, social anxiety, depression, self image issues, and exposure to content that is not age appropriate or just simply fear of missing out (FOMO).

Social Media Detox Is Necessary

Social media leads many of us into comparing our lifestyle and personal achievements with everyone else’s. It is good to be competitive, but constantly measuring up to others achievements isn’t healthy. Researchers have come to a conclusion that this constant comparison can lead many teenagers into depression. Taking a break from your gadgets and online friends can allow you to shift focus back to your life and studies or goals and aspirations. It will give you the opportunity to connect with others in the real world, people and things that actually matter.

By only interacting with people online, you are missing out on very important face-to-face connections that are necessary for any individual to grow and prosper. Spending most of your time online can leave you feeling lonely and isolated in real life. So, taking a break from social media gives you a chance to escape from these negative emotions.

How Can You Start Social Media Detox

1. Set A Time Limit: You can set your gadgets to limit your consumption of social media apps. This will help you be more mindful of your time and allow you to focus on other things such as school, studies, hobbies etc.

2. Deleting Apps: Yes, it is a strict measure. Employed by parents when their intervention is inevitable. It may be strict but it is highly efficient.

3. Spending More Time With Family Or Friends: Time spent with family and friends can easily distract you from the life of social media.

4. Focus On Pursuing Hobbies: While taking a break from being online, find something else to do. Go for a walk, read a book, or catch up with friends (not online). There is a lot you can do minus a digital device.

5. Let You Friends Know About Your Break: Telling your friends about your social media break can be helpful as they will know why you are not available online, moreover, it eliminates your need to reply to their texts.

I hope this helps anyone who is in need of a genuine time off social media. Since I have gone through this myself, I truly understand what it is like, especially if you are a teenager making lots of friends online.