At least one person we all know has given up Facebook. Maybe you are that person – or have at least considered it. And it's not surprising, given how frequently we hear about social media's toxicity, or its bad consequences on our personal and collective well-being.
Sure, social media has flaws, but let's face it: it's not going away anytime soon. It is ultimately your choice whether or not to use these platforms, and while getting off can be difficult, it is possible. However, there are numerous advantages to be had, and there are many of us who do not want to quit.
Yes, we are aware of the drawbacks. Is it really that horrible to be able to stay in touch with our loved ones or locate others who share our strange interests? What about promoting awareness of social concerns we might not otherwise be aware of, assisting creatives in showcasing their work, or simply entertaining us when we can't leave the house for a year?
Is there a way to appreciate the great features of social media without succumbing to the "poison mirror"?
Yes, having a positive experience on social media is possible. Making those platforms work for you, rather than the other way around, is the key, and the good news is that it's actually quite simple!
It's under your control.
We've been hearing for over 20 years that heavy Internet use raises the danger of isolation, alienation, and withdrawal from society, yet research reveals that it really promotes sociability, civic involvement, and the intensity of family and friendship ties across cultures.
Social media is merely a tool, and whether or not it becomes a source of toxicity is entirely up to us. While these programs are intended to grab control of our attention, we can – and should – reclaim it. True, there will always be negative stuff, but there are tools and tactics you can use to restrict your exposure to harmful content and have a generally positive experience on these apps.
You Have Control Over What You See
The simplest method to make sure you enjoy your time on social networking apps is to control the type of content you see each time you log in.
Intentional practice
For many of us, using social media has become almost second nature, and research suggests that this form of passive use (mindlessly scrolling through an endless news feed) may be connected to sadness. Active use, on the other hand, is linked to improved mental health (sharing images, communicating with others).
Limiting your time on poisonous social media using apps
So you've decided that you'd like to spend less time on social media sites and apps. Now what? The jury is still out on whether social networking is actually addictive, but the truth is that you're up against some pretty powerful technology that's sole purpose is to monopolize your time and attention. People who are content in other parts of their lives are less likely to develop a social media addiction – or any addiction for that matter – thus, as with most things in life, moderation is vital.
Using technology to address a technological problem may seem counterintuitive, but as long as we're living in the Attention Economy, it's the only way to reap the benefits of social media without succumbing to its toxic negativity.
What you create of social media is up to you.
Our social media experience is largely determined by how we use it. However, hate speech, abuse, and trolling are all poisonous repercussions of algorithms that favor extreme content and the ease of anonymity online. It's easy to feel inadequate when comparing yourself and your life to the finely manicured feeds you see online, in addition to this tendency to promote unpleasant dialogue.
You shouldn't feel bad or "weak" if you find it difficult to log off something that is designed to keep your attention for as long as possible. The need to connect with others (particularly during times of solitude!) is natural, and social media can be a valuable tool when utilized properly. Get in the habit of thinking of your attention as yours — it may have become a form of currency for these businesses, but how you spend it is ultimately up to you. Consider your time to be a valuable commodity, and safeguard it at all means! You can enjoy the finest parts of social media while removing the toxicity from your life by practicing more conscious thought and action.
It's up to us users how we can utilize socmeds in a more positive way rather than a toxic one. I personally deleted my twitter acc because I hated how toxic it become as time goes by. But I realized it's not Twitter's fault, but rather mine for following acc which stress me out.