Notes From a Social Media-Deprived Teen
By Bailee Kinney
We live in a time where most everyone connects through the screen. Whether you're
contacting a friend, catching up on your latest celebrity gossip, doing homework or even your
job, you're probably using some form of technology or social networking. It is so built into our
everyday lives that we seldom take the time to step away from it and really think about what
we're doing.
Logging onto Facebook with our morning coffee has all of a sudden just fit itself into
our schedule, but have we never really stopped to challenge this idea or question when times
began to change. Recently, I recognized this idea, and realized how much screen time I was
really getting. I began to question this routine I had begun to build.
Why was I so attracted to social media? When did my usage increase and play such a large roll in my life? How was this effecting me emotionally and physically? Was I wasting my life away? I realized I had become a
slave to my social media accounts. When it buzzed, I checked. When it dung, I answered. When
it rung, I was right there to pick up. How was I to change my terrible ways?
With all of my might, I decided to do a social media detox with minimal screen time. This
was to last until my 16th Birthday. The side of me that loved doing other activities and enjoying
life loved the idea, but my lazy teenage self who enjoyed lying in bed scrolling through
Instagram thought that it was the worst idea to pop in my head since my existence. No matter
what side of me thought what, I knew I had to do it. I wanted to challenge the habit I had
accidentally formed, and work on doing more of the other activities I had sacrificed for the virtual
world.
The first days I was incredibly motivated. No matter what anyone said, I was going to
beat all odds about teenagers and how "they can't live without their social media." I did other
things like yoga, bracelet making, and painting. I felt so much better about myself. I was more
rested, happier, and mentally felt healthier. Little did I know that those first couple of good days
were simply leading up to the withdrawals I was about to feel.
The good side of me was drowned by teenage Bailee. And let me tell you, she was sick of the stupid bracelets and inspirational paintings. She wanted to be reconnected with the rest of the world. Fighting off this
pressure was one of the hardest things I had done. Social media becomes an addiction, and like
any other addiction, It takes work and dedication to get rid of it.
It wasn't an easy decision to fight back. After living in a world where the "normal" thing to do is be connected to the virtual world, it isn't easy going against the rest. But, I fought. Instead of just simply logging out, I
removed the apps from my phone so they would no longer be a temptation. I continued making
the "stupid" bracelets and coloring the "dumb" flowers until my birthday, when I gratefully logged
back into my accounts. While I allowed this for myself, I also set some boundaries. I was no
longer allowed to let it consume my days, or be logged on when I could/should be enjoying time with
loved ones, or let it step in the way of other important events. It is a decision that has bettered
my life forever, and one I have no regret making, despite the stages of grief I went through and
the withdrawal process I encountered. (Not really, I'm being dramatic.)
I'm not trying to say that the Internet and social media is a bad thing. It allows connection
with family and friends, a quick way to spread news, and a way for education. But it is important
to find a balance. According to socialstrategi.com, 95% of teens have access to the Internet. Out
of those teens, 90% are on some form of social media. According to cnn.com, the average teen
spends 9 hours a day on the screen and on social media.
We only get one chance to live our life. When were old, we won't want to remember our
time as kids laying on the couch on Twitter. With my detox, I learned that it's so important to take
time away from the screen to do things I enjoy. I encourage all people, ranging from teenagers
to adults, to take a step back, too. You never know what you could be missing out on behind the
screen.
By Bailee Kinney
We live in a time where most everyone connects through the screen. Whether you're
contacting a friend, catching up on your latest celebrity gossip, doing homework or even your
job, you're probably using some form of technology or social networking. It is so built into our
everyday lives that we seldom take the time to step away from it and really think about what
we're doing.
Logging onto Facebook with our morning coffee has all of a sudden just fit itself into
our schedule, but have we never really stopped to challenge this idea or question when times
began to change. Recently, I recognized this idea, and realized how much screen time I was
really getting. I began to question this routine I had begun to build.
Why was I so attracted to social media? When did my usage increase and play such a large roll in my life? How was this effecting me emotionally and physically? Was I wasting my life away? I realized I had become a
slave to my social media accounts. When it buzzed, I checked. When it dung, I answered. When
it rung, I was right there to pick up. How was I to change my terrible ways?
With all of my might, I decided to do a social media detox with minimal screen time. This
was to last until my 16th Birthday. The side of me that loved doing other activities and enjoying
life loved the idea, but my lazy teenage self who enjoyed lying in bed scrolling through
Instagram thought that it was the worst idea to pop in my head since my existence. No matter
what side of me thought what, I knew I had to do it. I wanted to challenge the habit I had
accidentally formed, and work on doing more of the other activities I had sacrificed for the virtual
world.
The first days I was incredibly motivated. No matter what anyone said, I was going to
beat all odds about teenagers and how "they can't live without their social media." I did other
things like yoga, bracelet making, and painting. I felt so much better about myself. I was more
rested, happier, and mentally felt healthier. Little did I know that those first couple of good days
were simply leading up to the withdrawals I was about to feel.
The good side of me was drowned by teenage Bailee. And let me tell you, she was sick of the stupid bracelets and inspirational paintings. She wanted to be reconnected with the rest of the world. Fighting off this
pressure was one of the hardest things I had done. Social media becomes an addiction, and like
any other addiction, It takes work and dedication to get rid of it.
It wasn't an easy decision to fight back. After living in a world where the "normal" thing to do is be connected to the virtual world, it isn't easy going against the rest. But, I fought. Instead of just simply logging out, I
removed the apps from my phone so they would no longer be a temptation. I continued making
the "stupid" bracelets and coloring the "dumb" flowers until my birthday, when I gratefully logged
back into my accounts. While I allowed this for myself, I also set some boundaries. I was no
longer allowed to let it consume my days, or be logged on when I could/should be enjoying time with
loved ones, or let it step in the way of other important events. It is a decision that has bettered
my life forever, and one I have no regret making, despite the stages of grief I went through and
the withdrawal process I encountered. (Not really, I'm being dramatic.)
I'm not trying to say that the Internet and social media is a bad thing. It allows connection
with family and friends, a quick way to spread news, and a way for education. But it is important
to find a balance. According to socialstrategi.com, 95% of teens have access to the Internet. Out
of those teens, 90% are on some form of social media. According to cnn.com, the average teen
spends 9 hours a day on the screen and on social media.
We only get one chance to live our life. When were old, we won't want to remember our
time as kids laying on the couch on Twitter. With my detox, I learned that it's so important to take
time away from the screen to do things I enjoy. I encourage all people, ranging from teenagers
to adults, to take a step back, too. You never know what you could be missing out on behind the
screen.