Social media detoxification or Social media detox is a kind of mental detoxification under the umbrella of Digital detox, specifically referring to a period of time when individuals stay away from social media platforms.
Detoxification or detox formally refers to the physiological or medical removal of toxic substances from a living organism. Thus this term "social media detox" carries this connotation that social media is negative to the individual and thus he/she needs to stay away from it for a period of time to recover.
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Overview
Social media detoxification, or more commonly referred to as "non-use of social media" in academic research, is the period of time during which individuals voluntarily stay away from social media. It falls under the umbrella of Digital detox, with a focus specifically on unplugging from social media. In recent times, it has become an increasingly relevant phenomenon with people from celebrities such as Kanye West and Ed Sheeran to regular social media users going on this detox. For example, a study conducted in 2013 found that more than half of Facebooks American population were non-users. It is a conscious effort made by users to fight against social media addiction.
This phenomenon is focused on a type of non-users known as social media rejectors who were once used of social media but have now voluntarily given it up for various reasons. By unplugging from social media, these rejectors hope to re-embrace the tangible and make more meaningful connections.
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Discussion
There has been a wide array of viewpoints with regards to the pros and cons of a social media detox. Research in social media use and non-use has also provided academic backing to the reasons that are often cited by individuals as reasons for going on a social media detox. Some of these include concerns over privacy and data misuse, productivity, addiction and social, professional or institutional pressures.
Non-use is not a clear-cut binary distinction in opposition to using, but these rejectors do demonstrate a desire for selective and reversible disconnection. Social media has become so interwoven into daily life that going off social media is the conscious lifestyle choice.
In this digital age, social media plays a vital role in building social capital, maintaining connections and impression management Some scholars even argue that it is important for individuals to have certain levels of distraction for life balance and to achieve a common state of body and mind. As such, social media is a basic need and one cannot cut away from it cold turkey, arguing that moderation is key.
See also
- Social media
- Digital detox
- Internet Addiction Disorder
- Digital addict
- Mobile phone overuse
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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