{"id":45219,"date":"2021-08-14T06:20:13","date_gmt":"2021-08-14T10:20:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=45219"},"modified":"2021-08-16T08:10:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T12:10:04","slug":"distracted-by-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/distracted-by-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Distracted by Social Media? Try These Things"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you easily distracted by social media? What can you do to improve your relationship<\/a> with social media? Is taking a detox or sabbatical a good idea?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media companies design their apps to be addictive\u2014it makes you feel like you’re being productive (catching up on current events or seeing what family and friends are up to), but in fact, the gains are minor. Cal Newport argues that taking a temporary detox is ineffective and the best way to improve your relationship with social media is to limit your usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how you can evelop a healthier relationship with social media, according to Cal Newport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cal Newport on Social Media<\/strong> Distractions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In his book Deep Work, <\/em>Cal Newport points out that many people are distracted by social media on a daily basis. Social media, and much of the Internet in general, is designed <\/em>to get you addicted to its content, and it can easily derail you from meeting your true goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In Hooked<\/em><\/a>, Nir Eyal and Ryan Hoover explore the different methods that media companies use to get\u2014and keep\u2014your attention. The authors explain that not only is this information helpful in understanding and breaking your tech addictions, but it can also help you make good habits<\/em> (like deep work) more \u201caddictive.\u201d For example, you may create a trigger: Each day, your phone\u2019s alarm goes off at 3 p.m. (the beginning of your afternoon slump) and prompts you to put on your sneakers and go for a walk. Over time, this trigger will program your brain to crave the feeling of exercise each afternoon.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like shallow work, social media is insidious in that it seems like you\u2019re doing productive things when really the gains are minor. <\/strong>For example, people believe that Facebook connects them to others or surfaces relevant news. This sounds good in principle, but Newport claims that the real result is superficial\u2014the acquaintances you\u2019re making are shallow and unlikely to be the center of your social life. You\u2019ll arrange to see the people you really<\/em> care about outside of Facebook. Similarly, the news you come across on your feed may be fun to read, but for the most part, it doesn\u2019t move you closer to your major life goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limiting Usage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Newport says that to counteract the distracting effects of social media, some people declare Internet sabbaticals and go completely offline for a month. He doesn\u2019t agree with this method\u2014he says it\u2019s not necessary to be a Luddite, just like artisans don\u2019t forgo all tools made of metal. Social media can<\/em> be useful if you use it deliberately. Unfortunately, as Newport explains, many people use the \u201cany benefit\u201d argument\u2014that is, a technology tool is justified if it provides <\/strong>any<\/em><\/strong> benefit to the user. <\/strong>He argues that this thinking dilutes your focus. Instead, you should concentrate your time only on the most effective tools, instead of spreading it across many somewhat effective tools, in order to become more productive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Reviewers have pointed out that Newport has never utilized social media and therefore may not be the best authority to comment on what different platforms can and can\u2019t do for its users. Consequently, his view that Facebook usually only creates shallow relationships feels outdated: It\u2019s not uncommon these days to live and work in cities or countries far from your friends and family. Social media, notably Facebook\u2014as many expat communities report<\/a>\u2014is a simple way to both establish relationships in your new city and stay in touch with loved ones you\u2019re not able to meet up with in person.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin managing the way you use tech, Newport suggests taking the following steps to examine each of your tech tools in regard to their benefits, cost, and the opportunity cost<\/a><\/strong>. This will help you clearly see which tools are worth your time and which aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) List Your Goals and Goal-Supporting Activities<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

First, make a list of your most important goals\u2014professional and personal\u2014and then list the two or three activities that help you progress most toward these goals. <\/strong>Newport notes that these activities should be specific enough to give you direction, but general enough to be repeatable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n