Watch the Social Dilemma on Netflix?
If you did then I am sure you can echo my feelings below. If you haven’t, well, don’t if you like living in your safe social media happy place.
I did last Saturday and before I even finished watching I deleted all social media and apps that throw advertising between clicks from my phone.
I felt sick. I remember when social media started, and it was just fun, and was used to connect with friends and family. I still primarily use it for that. However, every time I had a spare minute I would grab my phone and mindlessly scroll through what family and friends were up to, and almost inevitably launch myself down a rabbit hole that might end up with a new subscription, a video I just had to watch, or a product to research.
I knew deep down, and in a direct way, how social media did its targeted advertising. But watching the doc from Netflix, I felt manipulated like a puppet. Social media had more of my life and my time than I was comfortable with acknowledging, and it was just using me, the kids, Josh, and selling our profiles to their customers!
Social Media has amazing power for good and not so good, I wont go so far as to call it evil, in our lives. I love the connectedness it offers but disdain the toll it takes. So I am going to limit my social media exposure to updating and checking on family and friends. Maybe even daily. But I am going to treat it like all things that can be both good and bad for me, moderation.
From now on, this is a great place to visit to check up on the Brueggens! Stay tuned for more updates on the farm, health concerns, sensory needs, and of course, the pandemic.
Be Good!