Could you give up using social media for awhile?
Given how embedded services such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have become within our personal and professional lives, it could a challenging situation to not be connected. For many people, it would be like not watching television or going to the gym.
A few months ago at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania, faculty and students weren’t allowed to use social media or instant-messaging on campus for a week, which could seem like an eternity if you’re a social media junkie.
What the students discovered was they had a “healthier more productive lifestyle”. Well, that’s what the university said after it conducted a review of the experiment.
During the social-media blackout, the Toronto Star reported that 25% of students reported better concentration in the classroom; 23% found lectures more interesting; 6% said they ate better and exercised more; 21% spent the time they were on Facebook doing homework, and 10% read online news rather than using Facebook.
Personally, I could take a break from Facebook and Twitter. For me, Facebook isn’t something that I’ve completely embraced, while Twitter can be so overwhelming sometimes that I often forget to use it when I’m busy with work or personal activities.
What about you? Could you give up using social media, even for a week?
Tags: break, facebook, Social Media, twitter
While I was on a cruise 2 years ago I felt like I was on a different planet with no access to email or social media, and it wasn’t near as a big part of life as it is now. I am pretty sure I would need a 12 step plan to kick the habit of constantly pulling up social media accounts on my droid while out and about.
I tried it for a week last Christmas as a present to the rest of the family. – the hardest thing is that if like most, you depend on your mobile/cellphone which is smartphone with all your social media connectivity, it’s very hard not to avoid social media.
Last year I was in Thailand for a month. I maybe checked my email and other networks once or twice a week. And even then, it was just because I had a bit of down time to kill in an internet cafe so I would check it while I skyped with friends and family.
I think it depends on the situation you’re in while taking your break. While I was in Thailand I was always doing stuff and having fun, touching a computer was one of the last things on my mind at the time. However, if I was just sitting on my couch at home I’m sure the temptation would be much greater.
Cheers,
Sheldon
Paul,
I guess the solution might be taking the SIM card out of your smartphone, and putting into a no-frills voice-only phone.
Thanks for the comment.
Mark
Angela,
A 12-step social media plan. I’m sure there might be demand for it soon.
Mark
Totally agree with Sheldon Levine.
Social media is more like to kill time and not a necessity, at least for me.
cheers,
Lou
Lou,
Social media can be a time-suck. It’s take more discipline to strike a healthy balance.
Mark
[...] I thought I’d take a moment to read up on the impact of taking a social media break. Our friends over at Sysomos took a look at the impact of an internet-free week at Harrisburg University of Science and [...]