Social media use has been an important part of our routine. In fact, some say that their phones are the extension of their arms. The constant need to know about what’s going on in the world outside of our geographical reach has exposed us to other news in which we may… not want or need to know.
Yes, we need to know about the tsunami that took the lives of thousands of innocent people. Yes, we also need to know about the dirty political drama in our country. But do we need to hear about some politician’s affair? Do we need to hear about the exaggeration and society’s judgement about it? Do we also need to know about the latest high-end makeup that only makes us feel bad about our well-paying job that turns out to not be so well because we still can’t afford this trendy amazing beauty invention?
Maybe we don’t need to hear about those things, but as we scroll down our timeline, we are exposing ourselves to those news. As we join more group chats, more news are going to come to us (shout out to group members who likes to forward messages!) even when we don’t ask for them. Eventually, we may find ourselves… craving for negativity. Remember when you look up for some celebrity divorce? Well, maybe it’s time for intervention.
There is a very fine line between the news we need to hear and the ones we ‘think’ we need to hear. How do we know which information is good for us? How do we even protect ourselves from information we don’t need to hear and which give negative impact for us?
1. Stop searching for it!
When you are so addicted to find ‘joy’ in negative contents and simply can’t give up scrolling, this is the least that you can do. Initially, the need to avoid negative news have to come from ourselves. Stop following or be connected to people who spread negativity. We may not be able to shut the door completely and negative guests will keep coming, but we can find other guests to talk to.
3. Give up on multiple accounts
We have a primary account in which we promote publicly. We follow inspiring people we met both offline and online. But, we also have a secret account where we follow accounts we feel guilty about following, such as gossip account or a controversial celebrity. This is where you measure which news you need to hear, which news give you joy versus which news you ‘think’ you enjoy: if it’s something you feel guilty about sharing, then it must be either negative or unimportant. Because if it is positive and/or important, you will have the urge to share it without guilt.
4. Work with the algorithm
You know that with today’s algorithm, even if you stop following negative accounts, you will somehow be exposed to negativity. But, you simply can’t give up and social media detox is mission impossible. So work with the algorithm! The simplest logic to social media algorithm is that they only give us what we want to see. Search and follow positive people. Like positive posts. That way, the algorithm will give you what you want: positive content.
5. Spread positivity
Give others the chance to feel positive about their social media through you! Share and create more joyful and inspiring contents (by no means of setting high living standards to other users or to make them feel bad about their lives, of course).