Social media. It’s a force we’ve all come to know, and some of us—myself included—have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it. I just force-quit TikTok after another aimless scroll, and something hit me. It’s become the new TV. You know, that thing we thought we’d outgrown with the digital age. Sure, evolution happens, technology advances, and we roll with the punches. But the way it’s rolled out—that is what frustrates me.
Social media began as this shining, happy space where we could connect, share pieces of our lives, and get that ever-so-satisfying dopamine hit. We all know it feels good, but here’s the kicker—while it connects us, it also disconnects us.
Let me paint the scene for you. Right now, I’m sitting here with my device barely hanging on at 4% battery. I’m in a space with three other people, and you guessed it—they’re all buried in their phones, doom-scrolling, chasing that next dopamine high. We’re physically together, but mentally miles apart. It’s not just the mindless scrolling that bothers me. It’s the fact that most of the time, what we’re consuming isn’t even good for us.
It’s a constant bombardment of negativity—bad news on repeat, stories of tragedy, disaster, and chaos that we carry with us long after we’ve swiped past them. And then there are the ads. Oh, the ads—every few swipes, something is trying to sell us something. Our attention has become a commodity, and we don’t even realize how often we’re being sold to. And it makes me wonder, when did we stop facing each other and start facing our screens?
It’s like we’re chasing dopamine, while the world is bombarding us with negativity, distractions, and endless products we never asked for. It’s become subconscious at this point. One person picks up their phone, then the next, and soon enough we’re all sucked into our little digital worlds. It’s either that, or we’re left to face our own thoughts.
Now, I don’t mind sitting with my thoughts—in fact, I enjoy it. But when introspection is forced in a social setting, I can’t help but question the point of us gathering in the first place. If we’re just going to ignore each other, what are we really doing here? But that’s a rabbit hole for another time. Let’s stick to the bigger picture: what has the internet done to us?
Maybe I’m showing my age, but I remember stories being told when we fought to use our voices, when we craved real, human connection. We weren’t obsessed with followers or likes; we were obsessed with conversation—with real, meaningful exchanges. We cared about what someone had to say, not how many people were paying attention to them with double taps.
I’m not saying these conversations don’t happen anymore, but they’re few and far between, so it seems. The internet, at its start, felt like a gateway to deeper connection. From pen pals to MySpace friends to Facebook “friends”—and notice how that eventually shifted into “followers.” Somewhere along the way, it stopped being about relationships and became a numbers game.
Don’t get me wrong, back in the day, the internet felt like magic. It was this chaotic, beautiful space where self-expression thrived. People shared their art, their thoughts, even their messiest moments, and it felt… real. Someone in the back might say, “Yeah, well, things were good for that time, but we’ve evolved.” Sure, we’ve evolved—but at what cost? If that’s your takeaway, I think you’re missing the point.
This post won’t fix the internet or reboot how we connect. I know that. But I wanted to put this out into the universe, an open thought, floating around for whoever needs it. And of course, I can’t leave you without some tips—because while we might be in deep, we can still take small steps to pull ourselves out of the screen and back into reality.
1. Create Intentional Silence
The next time you’re tempted to mindlessly scroll, pause. Sit with the silence instead. Face your thoughts, no distractions. It’s uncomfortable at first, but that’s where you’ll find clarity and maybe even some peace.
2. Schedule Social Media Breaks
Set specific times during the day to check your accounts. Be strict with it. Outside of those windows, put the phone down. Whatever’s happening online will still be there when you get back—trust me, I’ve been doing this going on two years.
3. Engage in Real Conversations
Challenge yourself (and others) to put the phones away when you’re in social settings. Ask how someone’s really doing. Dig deeper than surface-level stuff. You’d be surprised at how much more fulfilling that is.
4. Practice Being Present
When you’re with people, be with them. Don’t have half your attention on your phone. Watch their expressions, listen to their stories, engage fully. That’s where connection really happens.
5. Use Social Media for Creation, Not Consumption
Instead of scrolling endlessly, use these platforms to create. Share your ideas, your art, your thoughts. Be a creator, not just a consumer. Let the dopamine come from contributing something meaningful, not from watching the next random video.
6. Limit Your Intake of Bad News
It’s important to stay informed, but constant exposure to negative headlines takes a toll on your mental health. Be mindful of how much bad news you consume. Set boundaries. Once you’re aware of the basics, step away. Don’t let the negativity consume your day.
7. Block and Mute Ads Where You Can
Social media is a business, and businesses need ads. But that doesn’t mean you have to see them all. Make use of ad blockers and mute accounts that seem more interested in selling to you than connecting. Be intentional about curating your feed to align with things that add value to your life, not take from it.
At the end of the day, social media is a tool—but it’s not life. We’ve got to remember that. The more we step away from the screen, the more we step back into the real world, where the moments that matter are still unfolding, waiting for us to notice them.
Hope this helps,
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