YVALIKS

Last week, Instagram launched a new social media app called Threads. It was created to rival Twitter who according to the ‘kids’, is no longer fun since Elon Musk took over. He brought in changes that made most people claiming that Twitter will now be on its way out. I have been using Instagram since its creation and they are a master at copying other applications and turning them into their own. I remember when they introduce the video features and how that brought the downfall of Vine. They also integrated Stories to rival Snapchat. After the pandemic, they gave us Reels to rival TikTok, and now we have Threads. I have to give it to Meta; they will always trying to stay relevant.

Last week, I saw many people jump on Threads and I knew one thing for sure; I will not be one of them.

I am not an hater. I actually really love social media. I am an older millennial and I  was on the internet when it started booming with social network platforms. I was on My Space, Hi5 and I still have my Facebook account (although I do not use it). I use social media and sometimes I over use it. I am very aware of the dangers of these platforms:  the spreading of false information; how it heighten comparison and can affect our self esteem; and how it fuels consumerism (looking at you TikTok). But I also see it as a place of inspiration, place where communities can gather and see people’s creativity blossom.

Social Media is very entertaining. One of my main problem with it is how distracting it is.

Truly every app are designed in a way to capture your attention. Their main goal is to create a way to keep you watching or reading content for long period of time. If it is not the simple fact that they suggest new people to follow, posts or videos to you; you have a whole ‘explore’ section usually catered specifically by the algorithm to make you want to swipe or slide more.

You feel like you need to participate because if you do not, you will miss out. You do not want to miss out. And this is just not social media. The internet as a whole is a library of content you can lose yourself into.  From listening to podcasts, binging tv on streaming platforms or scrolling on shopping websites, you have unlimited choices. This of course can and is usually done on our modern magic devices : our phones.

We get caught up easily in the tangle of the web. Without realising it, you can spend more than 7-10 hours online. One of the reason why I decided not to get TikTok, is that I didn’t need another app to lose myself in. Also content do rotate, and what is on TikTok can end up in Instagram in a week. I do not think I will lose my mind if I see the popular content a week later.

The other frustrating element is the constant need for websites or apps to access your data. They do need certain data to operate, but they also want to ‘personalise your online experience’. Third parties cookies just want to advertise to you. You are not just a visitor or a customer, you are also a target.  I am not a big fan of this. On an average we see more than 500 to 1000 ads a day online. I am very overwhelmed by the constant advertising online. I am also usually annoyed that I am so often required to give my email or create accounts everywhere.

Do not think I am judging, I am just analysing. I am in the same boat as anyone else. This is why I have limits on my apps and I am always checking my screen time at the end of the day. But I do overused the apps. I also now feel a bit guilty because I create content. I do not want to be another person that steal too much of people’s time. This is why I decided to blog only once a week, and I do not post everyday on my timeline or stories. By nature, I am quite private, so I never felt the need to put too much out there. All to say, I do participate in the madness. But I do not want to participate too much.

I admit it sometimes the online life is more entertaining and a great form of escapism, when real life becomes too much.

But I still have to live real life. I cannot always distract myself.

I have work and personal commitment to attend to.

A girl need to focus on the other things.

So from time to time, when my conscience tell me to get off my phone, well I do.

I am even trying to not go on Instagram during the weekend.  It is actually quite liberating.

I do not think we need to be online all the time.

I do not think I need many versions of apps that do the same thing.

I do not need more distraction.

I actually need to focus more.

Time is one of our greatest resource. Let’s use it wisely.

So today, I will look at some funny memes and fashion videos at some point.

Then I will be offline, read a book, cook and spend time with my loved ones.

Picture: via Pinterest