Families in the Digital Age – Finding Balance Between Life and Social Media
We live in a time where everyone is glued to their phones. We’re all guilty of it. Social media has become a dominant presence in society and has altered the way we interact with others.
If you want to find a healthy balance between life and social media, you must re-evaluate how you spend your time. The following tips will help you set boundaries between real life and the online world.
Image Source: Unsplash
Put Family First
It’s easy to get distracted with the pressures of social media and lose sight of what really matters. Living in the present moment is impossible if you’re constantly looking down at your phone. It’s important to realize that nothing beats face-to-face interaction and quality family time. If you’re spending time with family, that’s where your focus should be.
The Solution:
Start your own family traditions to celebrate simple milestones or special occasions. Setting a tradition is a great way to ensure you get that quality family time. During these special moments, make it a point to leave your phone at home. This will allow you to focus on the people around you.
Make time to Disconnect
Being in the generation who grew up with the internet, we don’t often realize how much time we spend looking at our screens. Checking social media has just become ingrained into our daily routine. But over-exposure to social media isn’t a healthy lifestyle for anyone. Taking regular breaks from the online world is important for your own mental well-being.
The Solution:
Make an effort to monitor your screen your time closely. Luckily, there are ways to accurately track your screen time on your device by getting a weekly screen report. Your weekly screen report will tell you exactly how many hours and minutes you are spending on your device. It will also tell you which apps you are using the most. You can then use this information to make changes to your lifestyle.
If your screen time is more than you’d like, try cutting your screen time down each week. Or even better – take a temporary, but an extended break from social media. A good trick is to delete the social media apps off your phone. This way, even if you’re tempted to scroll through social media, you won’t have the option.
Image Source:Unsplash
Don’t Get Caught Up in Comparisons
In the age of social media, it’s easy to get caught up in what other people are doing with their lives. Comparisons are inevitable, and naturally, it can make you feel insecure. When you see your friends posting about their life achievements, you may feel pressured to do the same. And if you’re not achieving the same things as your friends, you may begin to question your own worth.
The Solution:
Recognize that people only showcase their best selves on social media. What you see on someone’s social media profile is not a realistic picture of their life. From an outside perspective, it may look like their life is perfect, but rarely is that the case. Everyone has their own personal struggles that aren’t showcased on Facebook or Instagram. Once you realize this truth and stop comparing your life to someone’s social media profile, you can focus on living your life for you. It’s not as hard as it seems to find a balance between life and social media. Real-life connection matters more than anything else you see or do on social media. Once you realize what your priorities are in life, the world of social media will become less of a distraction.
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