Digital wellbeing depends only on you or is influenced? Let’s deep dive into this subject and take 4 easy habits to achieve digital wellbeing and stay connected to your life. Does digital addiction scares you or makes you numb? That’s the level of damage it produces in your relationships, family and mental health?
Where’s your free time, joining others in nature and spending time in offline? Where’s your inner peace and the magic time when you… grabbed some hardcover books and read them without interruption.
Digital addiction is a growing problem: According to a 2019 survey conducted by the Center for Humane Technology, 59% of Americans feel addicted to their devices, while 27% of them believe they are addicted to social media specifically.
Join us here, in this short, lovely self healing process.
Smooth sailing between technology and your life
Technology has brought us so many amazing advancements in our daily lives, but it’s not without its downsides. One of the most prevalent downsides is the FOMO effect, or “Fear Of Missing Out.”
Have you ever felt like you’re missing out on something when you’re not checking your phone or social media feeds constantly? That’s the FOMO effect in action. It’s a feeling of anxiety that you might be missing out on something important or exciting happening on social media, so you feel compelled to constantly check in and keep up with what’s going on.
The FOMO effect can be especially challenging for younger generations who have grown up with technology and social media as a constant presence in their lives. It can be tough to disconnect and take a break from the constant barrage of information and updates, but it’s important to remember that it’s okay to take a step back and unplug sometimes.
Filter bubbles impact on your life and beliefs
Eli Pariser opened a captivating TED Talk in 2011 called Beware online “filter bubbles”. He describes how different friends got very different results when searching for the word “Egypt”, with one of them not seeing any results relating to the protests happening at the time. Pariser also discusses Facebook, and the way its algorithms use the content you interact with to decide what to show you. This creates the ‘filter bubble’ effect, where people only see the kind of opinions they agree with because that’s the content they click on, creating in Pariser’s words “a world in which the Internet is showing us what it thinks we want to see, but not necessarily what we need to see”.
Weapons of math destruction
Cathy O’Neil terms some algorithms “weapons of math destruction” after the damage that can be caused to society and democracy when algorithms reinforce inequality. In her book, O’Neil looks at how Facebook’s algorithms can influence whether people vote and which political messages they see.
Stay away from social-media
One way to combat the FOMO effect is to set boundaries for yourself when it comes to technology and social media. Try setting specific times of day when you check your phone or social media feeds, and stick to those times. You might also consider taking breaks from social media altogether, or limiting your use of certain apps or platforms that tend to trigger the FOMO effect for you.
By being mindful of the FOMO effect and taking steps to manage it, you can enjoy all the benefits of technology without feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
Make digital wellbeing your number one priority
Digital wellbeing is becoming a priority: A survey by Deloitte found that 71% of Americans are concerned about the impact of technology on their wellbeing, and 80% believe that technology companies have a responsibility to address these concerns.
We would like to explore more about how the wellbeing was developed by Martin Seligman, who is a prominent psychologist in this field. The PERMA model helps to explain the five measurable elements of wellbeing (Seligman, 2011):
- Positive emotion
- Engagement
- Relationships
- Meaning
- Achievement
4 easy habits to achieve digital wellbeing and stay connected to your life
- Set boundaries: One of the most important things you can do for your digital wellbeing is to set boundaries around your use of technology. This could mean designating specific times of day to check your email or social media, or setting limits on how much time you spend on your phone or other devices.
- Take breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks from technology to give your brain a chance to rest and recharge. This could mean going for a walk, reading a book, or simply taking a few minutes to meditate or practice deep breathing.
- Be mindful of your digital footprint: It’s important to be mindful of what you share online and how it could impact your digital footprint. This means being careful about what personal information you share, avoiding oversharing, and being aware of your privacy settings on social media and other online platforms.
- Connect with others in person: While technology can be a great way to stay connected with others, it’s also important to make time for in-person interactions. Make plans to meet up with friends and family, attend social events, or participate in group activities to help you feel more connected to your community.
People raise good points about safety, overload and distraction, all of which are associated with the digital world. Let’s keep your mind focused and motivated by what we love to do.
