Social Media Detox Data

7-Day Social Media Detox Data


The Journey

This past week, I challenged myself to a social media detox: absolutely no Instagram or TikTok after 6 PM. The goal? To reclaim my evenings, reduce mindless scrolling, and be more present. Tracking everything in a table was eye-opening! Here’s some additional thoughts on this data.

  • Day 1 (Sun) - Difficulty 5: Wow, that first night was ROUGH. Lying in bed without my habitual scroll felt physically weird and uncomfortable. The urge to just "check" was intense. 

  • The Slip-Ups (Mon & Wed): I wasn't perfect! On Monday (Diff 3), I absentmindedly opened Instagram while out with friends – a stark reminder of how ingrained the habit was ("nooooo!"). On Wednesday (Diff 5), FOMO got me – I had to see TikTok reviews of a new show episode (10 mins!). Both slips taught me: mindfulness is crucial, especially during social events or strong FOMO moments. Automatic pilot is the enemy!

  • The Turning Point (Thurs Onwards - Diff 3, 2, 2): By Thursday, something shifted. I was so engaged in a puzzle with my mom and self-care that I didn't notice my phone was away! Friday felt genuinely easier ("ready to put it away by 6PM"). Saturday was a strong finish – no slip-ups, lower screen time (1h 58m!), and enjoyable activities.

The Wins & Positive Changes

  • Significant Screen Time Reduction: Total screen time consistently decreased throughout the week, culminating in Saturday being less than half of Sunday's time! This directly freed up hours.

  • Rediscovering Real Life: Look at those evening activities! Instead of scrolling:

    • I had quality time (watching Black Mirror with my brother twice, puzzles & bracelet-making with my mom, dinner with friends).

    • I got productive (homework, summer college work).

    • I relaxed properly (reading, music, dedicated self-care night with skincare).

    • I even went for an impulse ice cream run!

  • Increased Awareness & Control: By Friday, putting the phone away felt intentional and positive, not like deprivation. Thursday's note ("did not notice") was a huge milestone.

  • Breaking the Bedtime Scroll: This was the hardest habit to break initially, but by the end of the week, reading replaced it more naturally.





 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Module 1

Image
  READ Gardner Campbell Doug Belshaw Ryan Boren WRITE The Future of Digital Teaching and Learning  My vision for the future of digital teaching and learning is that it becomes fully accessible to everyone no matter their background, ability, or location. We've already made big strides with technology in education, and I believe we can keep going. I imagine learning that's inclusive, student driven, and co-designed with the learners themselves. Students should have a voice in what and how they learn, using digital tools not just to consume information, but to create, collaborate, and grow in ways that matter to them. PARTICIPATE EDU 522 Subjectives "Goals" for myself
Read more

Social Media Detox Final Reflections

Image
  My 7-Day Social Media Detox: Reclaiming Time, Presence, and Peace This experiment wasn’t just about avoiding screens, it was a reset of my relationship with attention, time, and what truly fills my cup. For seven days, I banned Instagram and TikTok after 6 PM, and the shift was profound. What started as a battle against autopilot scrolling became a revelation: I’d been trading real life for digital crumbs. The data told a clear story: screen time plummeted by over 50% by week’s end, difficulty ratings dropped from a grueling 5 to an effortless 2, and slip-ups (like FOMO-driven TikTok checks) became lessons in mindfulness. But beyond the numbers, something deeper shifted. I rediscovered the texture of presence. Evenings once lost to the mindless scroll, transformed into sacred space: puzzles with my mom’s laughter filling the room, bracelet-making that felt like meditation,  Black Mirror  debates with my brother where I actually absorbed the plot and was n...
Read more

Affinity Spaces - Example

Image
Example of Affinity Space - #teachersoftiktok on Tiktok #teachersoftiktok is a vibrant hashtag based community where educators from around the world share experiences, teaching tips, humor and classroom hacks. It's a networked, interest-driven space focused on education.  Why It's an Affinity Space   Shared Passion - All participants are connected by their interest in teaching and education.  Low Barrier to Entry - Anyone can join by posting and using the hashtag!  Informal Peer Learning - Teachers share real classroom moments, lesson ideas, tech tip, style, strategies and encouragement. Others can comment, ask questions or remix ideas.  Multiple Roles - in this space you are bth content creator and learner.  Supportive Community - educators offer emotional support, ent about challenges, and celebrate wins. It combats teacher burnout and fosters connection! How Networked Learning Supports Co-Learning Networked learning connected individuals through digita...
Read more