Today we’re talking about how to best go about using social media in moderation. We’ve come up with a list of Dos and Don’ts to help you get started - check it out:
How do we navigate this added element technology has introduced into our lives? It seems like nearly every task that we need to do in our daily lives with work, studies and even leisure is intertwined with the Internet, and more specifically, social media. Therefore it does not mean that we should completely say ‘no’ to social media, but can we moderate the amount we deal with daily?
Let’s time ourselves – say 10 minutes in the morning before we start a task, we check into our various accounts to see updates and how others have fared in the last 24 hours or so. Inculcating a sense of ‘controlled’ checking of our social media can lead to a satisfaction; which would then spur us on to our other tasks rooted in reality.
Allowing ourselves to pause and reflect is important too. A good question to ask is ‘Do I “need” to check my Instagram?’ or “Do I ‘want’ to check my Instagram?’ Basic needs include food, air, water, shelter – these are conditions we need to survive. However, browsing through social media is a desire, which is a ‘want’. Identifying our impulses can instill a sense of control – as we can also choose to say ‘No, I don’t think I ‘want’ to do this now’.
An additional factor to allow moderation is incentives – let’s reward good behavior! If we condition ourselves and say ‘No social media for the next 2 hours’ and accomplish it, let’s reward ourselves. Perhaps with a cup of coffee, or a cookie. Rewarding ourselves with small but meaningful things can strengthen our motivation.
The next time we are tempted to post something, let’s pause and reflect if we really would like all our friends or followers to see what we’re about to post. Adding in that extra step may cause us to re-consider. Also, are we confusing the role of social media? Some of us may consider posting pictures as the same as ‘keeping’ them safe in a folder; however there is the added angle of many, many others who are privy to the same pictures as well.
Countless hours of ‘connecting’ with others with a word, smiley face or other emoticons can ironically cause a sense of isolation and disconnect. So don’t forget whilst social media is a convenient tool to stay in touch, it is by no means the only way. So leave that chair, turn off your device, and interact with people in the real world – let’s connect in the real world.
In things a moderation keep; Kings ought to shear, not skin, their sheep.
