DIGITAL MINIMALISM

 

So I recently attempted an experiment called “Digital Minimalism” which is a concept that was curated by Prof. Cal Newport who advocates that we should all start questioning and choosing which digital communication tools are necessary for our happiness. So I took his advice and decided to delete all my social media apps from my phone. Never mind that my job requires that I keep tabs with emerging trends so not only was this experiment difficult to follow through but it felt like I was committing career-suicide and obviously missing out on a lot. Also, for those that know me well, they understand that I am a “news junkie”. I like to be in the know in the fastest way possible. Traditional media offers me the news but not in the fastest way possible.

For avoidance of doubt, I failed spectacularly! 

Two days into the experiment, I was slowly re-installing some apps back on my phone but I tried my best to keep my interactions with them to a minimum 😊. I used the extra time to research further on this experiment and was shocked to learn that more people are embracing this lifestyle and the benefits of not being on Social Media far outweigh the detriments. Studies conducted for the last several years have linked social media to poor mental health and recent research has demonstrated not just a correlation but a causation. Findings also suggest that people who limit their social media usage feel and perform significantly better than those who use it for extended periods of time.

I came across this documentary called The Social Dilemma, which gives personal accounts of co-founders, creators and inventors of some of the most brilliant and influential social media sites that exist today. While they are proud of their inventions and contributions in advancing technology, they struggle with the fact that these same platforms have evolved and have become tools for vitriol, cyber-bullying and manipulation of people’s personal data. Of particular concern to them was how the infamous Cambridge Analytica used Facebook data for political advertising.

During my one-week experiment, I discovered a few things that convinced me that perhaps I should fully embrace Digital Minimalism. All of a sudden, my phone and my life were silent. I was not “hearing” from anyone and I couldn’t help but think how Social Media has diminished and ruined our levels of human interaction. Social Media has created the false illusion that our lives are full of people but the truth is we have no real connection to our many followers. We have become obsessed with building clout of nameless and sometimes faceless people on social media but I dare you to switch your apps off for a moment and see how many “real” people actually come looking.

I also learnt that the best way to figure out how someone is really doing is not to check their status but to pick up the phone and call them! Better yet, pay them a visit and have a conversation preferably without documenting it!

Conversely, Social Media is not all bad if used responsibly. I know of people and businesses that have built their brand and expanded their revenue base because of Social Media. Heck, if you weren’t on Social Media then you would probably not be reading this article about how Social Media is potentially damaging your mental health and ruining your relationships. For me, it has provided the opportunity to explore and express my creative abilities through my podcast (https://anchor.fm/zinma-okwado) and other platforms. That’s why I feel reducing screen time makes perfect sense than shutting it down completely.

By the way, according to Pew Research Centre, Social Media usage has plateaued for the last couple of years, suggesting that a saturation point has been reached. It appears that either people’s insatiable appetite for Social Media is dwindling or they are learning to manage them in healthier ways. Either way, we can agree that Social Media isn’t going away and we must start considering formulating and implementing policies that help us manage it in a responsible, healthy way but before then I encourage you to practice Digital Minimalism.

 

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