Take your power back from the internet
6 steps to owning your time online
With the rise of AI, scammers, trolls, data mining, and censorship catering to oligarchic political agendas, it’s becoming very clear that the internet is being wielded against us and we are being exploited on popular social media platforms.
Here are 6 ways to take your power back from the internet
Limit your time online. To put your well-being first, set times during the day to get online. Try for example, 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon. For your nervous system’s health, avoid getting online right when you wake up and to support your circadian rhythm, avoid getting online right before bed. With patience, the habit of getting online for a limited time, and then putting the digital world aside to be here in the present, will have you feeling like yourself again.
Ditch the algorithm. Spend less time on apps that have you aimlessly doom scrolling and endlessly consuming content, and more time using the internet as intentionally as possible. Look up specific interests, explore favorite websites, and read newsletters. If you do get on social media, check in on friends, creators, & organizations you love, or share what you want to, and get off before you get sucked into a doom scroll. If you do want to scroll, set a timer for 5 minutes and commit to stopping when it goes off.
Be selective. There is a lot happening in the world right now, and staying informed is important, but you get to choose how that information is delivered to you. While social media has been an important tool for grassroots organizing, we are seeing a rise in censorship and misinformation on apps, especially from companies whose owners have a clear political agenda. Also, scrolling makes it difficult to consume the news at your own pace and take care of yourself. Rather than algorithm controlled news, choose a couple of straight to the point news websites. You could check NPR or BBC to get an overall recap of what's going on in the world. You can also find a list of independent, non-profit, and community-based media at trustworthymedia.org.
If you love an organization, journalist, or advocate on social media, check if they have a newsletter and subscribe. If they have a monthly donation or subscription fee you can afford, support them!
Create Balance. It's Important to stay informed, but it’s also important to stay inspired. This is your invitation to balance your sense of duty as a citizen of Earth with a sense of joy, hope, and awe. Spend time on the internet looking up things that inspire you and give you hope more than anything else. I like Yes! Magazine’s website. I think I’m a much more productive citizen when I’m inspired to make the world a better place by following my passions with an eye for transformation and justice.
Use the time you’re not on social media to explore your passions and learn skills that feel nourishing & relevant.
Pay attention to how you feel. Do you ever get off an app and feel anxious or kind of weird? Listen to that information. If an app is making you feel weird or bad, take note, it probably doesn’t deserve your attention. If an app is feeling abusive because of what it allows or censors, limit its access to you, just like I hope you would to someone abusing their power irl. On that note, block who you need to and don’t feel pressured to accept follow requests from anyone you don’t know or don’t want having access to your digital space.
Protect your privacy. We need boundaries online just like we do in real life. Here are some ways to protect yourself: Turn off all ad tracking on any apps you are using. While you're at it turn off location tracking too. Use search engines and browsers like DuckDuckGo that don’t save your data, on both your phone and your computer. If you’re on apps that allow a private profile use it, especially on image sharing apps because your images could be used for AI without your consent. If you're not able to make an app you’re using private enough to feel safe, trust your instinct to get off it. You have a right to digital privacy.
Digitally detox at your own pace
Just like you should be empowered in your time online, you should feel empowered to transform your relationship with the internet at your own pace in a way that works for you. The more mindful you are about a habit you’re trying to change, the more sustainable an outcome you’ll have. What’s more important than rushing into change is slowing down enough to feel it out. Next time you’re about to open an app out of habit, pause and ask yourself what you need. Maybe it’s just a breath of fresh air, a quick text to a loved one, or some inspiration. Find ways to meet your needs that feel healthy & empowering.
Use the internet, don’t let the internet use you.
xo,
Emily