If 85% of the population uses the internet and are online an average of 7 hours per day, how is it that we’re still having conversations about whether being online is good for us or not? Instead, let’s talk about how to be extremely online in a healthy way.
It seems like the consensus is that we like being online. We like being on our phones. We like technology, and we like spending not only our money but our most precious commodity - our attention. But how do we do it well?
We have a vast technological landscape to devour, but that landscape needs some parameters. Some boundaries. Not because it’s terrible, but because humans are going to be human. For those of us trying to be mentally healthy and/or for those of us raising or impacting the smaller humans, this is especially important.
So what are the rules for being extremely online? Honestly, we hate the word “rules” and instead use the term “paradigm.” If you’ve listened to our podcast you know it’s the fourth word out of Jenny’s mouth in every sentence. LOL.
So what do we mean by that? A framework. A model. A filter. A set of criteria one can use to navigate our online lifestyle.
Listen, we all know there is good on social and there is bad. It’s a spectrum. And maybe you don’t need this list of filters, but your Uncle Larry sure does (you need therapy, my dude, and stop screaming in all caps online). So share this with him!
Either way, below are the notes from our latest episode, which you can listen to here:
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How To Cope With Being Extremely Online
As we discussed on the podcast, consider these as a social filter. Just as you may choose a filter for an Instagram or Snapchat post, here are six filters to consider when thinking through your online lifestyle.
🦺 Safety - Safety first! Proactively think through your digital identity: Do you use a real name or screen name, location, home address, or place of work? Think proactively about how locations and information about who you are and where you live can be used to locate you or how it may be used. The permanence of the internet is a key consideration — what you say and post lasts forever. You’ll also want to consider if you don’t share this information how it may detract from your experience. And maybe that’s okay!
💔 Heart - How does what I see online impact me? What stories do I tell myself about me and my life based on what I see? Do I feel better or worse about myself based on that? Do I know when I need to adjust my algorithm? Do I know *How* to adjust my algorithm? Am I hanging out in spaces that unite people, or divide them? Am I being careful with the words I use and how that may affect others?
👯♂️ The Space Between Them and Us - How do other people use the internet? In what way is this a good thing or a bad thing? What does this terrible thing say about THEM not me? Do I have the ability to distinguish those things? Does this person’s personal life affect their content? Do I have a WIDE lens when thinking about the realities of this content?
🪩 Reality Versus Smoke and Mirrors - Is what I’m seeing online altered? Is this a glamour filter? Who is paying for the news and reviews we see? How do influencers influence us? How is the internet a continuation of body-altering media that we grew up with?
⏳ Time IRL - Is my time online interrupting the quality of my life IRL? Do you know when the limit has been reached? Are you yelling, not sleeping well, or can you not stand talking to other people? Where is the line for you? Also - are you still making an effort for your IRL relationships? Do they feel additive and good still? And it goes the other way — adding social media into your IRL can be good too.
🌲 Time Outside in the Outdoors - How much time are you outside? Even in winter? Are you moving your body enough? Sleeping enough? Are you a zombie? Can you still take note and take stock of your feelings in your body? Who knew a filter for being extremely online could factor in the outdoors? It does for us!
We hope that these filters will help folks recognize things aren’t so binary when it comes to “Is being online good and bad?” or “Should I have an account or not?” Life is a spectrum and so is being EXTREMELY ONLINE.
If you visit a frozen waterfall and don’t take a selfie, did you visit a frozen waterfall? No. So here you go
See you in the future!
Jenny & Greg