Writing about a day in the digital world feels almost too easy – after all, I can’t remember the last day I wasn’t immersed in it. Whether I’m waking up to a good-morning text from someone or putting on a podcast to get through my chores, the digital world has become as routine as brushing my teeth. But is this constant connection enriching my life – or is it quietly taking more than it gives?
Almost all my mornings start thanks to digital technology – my phone rings with the same awful tune that drags me out of my sleep since in high school. After my sleep gets interrupted, I either open my eyes and reach for my phone or choose the more dangerous path – go back to sleep for “five more minutes”. Either way, whenever I do decide to start my day – I grab my phone.
Thinking about it now, I don’t really give myself a moment’s break to look at the ceiling or take in my surroundings immediately after waking up – It’s almost as if I choose to engage with the digital world before I even give myself a chance to interact with the real one. This concept feels both strange and unsettling, yet it can be easily justified and defended. The digital world offers something that the real world can’t – connections with people who aren’t physically present. Typically, in the mornings I see a notification from my dad who has sent me a quick good morning text from back home (Bulgaria), and some voice messages from my best friend (who’s studying in New York) recounting something exciting that happened to her the night before. Safe to conclude that in a sense rather than alienating me from relationships (which is an often criticism against spending time online), the digital world actually helps me stay connected with those who are far away.
My digital day of course isn’t limited to simply chatting with people. Entertainment plays a major role too. There’s nothing I enjoy more than putting on a good podcast or a good YouTube video (I have linked some personal favourites of the sort) while I go about my daily tasks. Even when I’m not actively staring at a screen, the digital world stays present in my life – often through my earbuds – and I can’t lie to myself and not admit that I love it. All that makes it easy to appreciate how technology enriches my life and keeps me both entertained and connected.
But like everything else in this world, the digital has its downsides…
I have to admit, I sometimes catch myself scrolling through social media for far longer than I intended or needed, completely losing track of time. It’s a feeling I’m not proud of, but one that’s all too familiar. Seems like very often the line between healthy and excessive digital use gets blurred – not just for me but for many others, both young and old. Discussions about the ethical implications of social media have been ongoing for years, and at times, they even escalate into major corporate lawsuits.
A significant point of concern connected to excessive use of social media (specifically by young people) emerged last year (2023) – a high-profile lawsuit involving Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Filed by a coalition of 41 states and the District of Columbia, the lawsuit accuses Meta of deliberately designing its platforms to induce compulsive use among young users.
In the lawsuit, the states expressed a concern that “Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage and ultimately ensnare youth and teens”. The company’s motives are, of course, primarily profit-driven, since more clicks and overall engagement brings more money.
But how does Meta manipulate their younger audience?
As this article for The New York Times, written by Matt Richtel, Letita James (the contemporary attourney general for NY) shares that “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem. (…) Social media companies, including Meta, have contributed to a national youth mental health crisis and they must be held accountable“.
The magnetic pull of social media seems to be deeply rooted in its design. Experts, such as psychologist David Greenfield, talk about the concept of “intermittent reinforcement“ similar to the unpredictable nature of a slot machine. This tactic creates a constant anticipation of rewards, making it challenging for users to disengage. Greenfield explains – “Just like a slot machine… users are beckoned with lights and sounds but, even more powerful, information and reward tailored to a user’s interests and tastes”.
In response to the lawsuit, Meta has defended its practices, stating that they have made numerous efforts to create a safer online environment for young users. The company’s statement reflects their disappointment with the lawsuit, suggesting that they would prefer a collaboration which could lead to establishing clearer age-appropriate standards, rather than getting accused.
Of course, although it is easier said than done, the solution to the problem would be a well-balanced relationship with the digital world. That ideal, however, is hard to achieve – especially for young people – and companies like Meta have little incentive to help, as their profits depend on people spending more time online.
It is safe to conclude that the internet, when used effectively, offers incredible benefits, including fostering connections and providing valuable information. However, as Dr. Greenfield points out, “the internet is a giant hypodermic, and the content… are the psychoactive drugs”. This analogy points to the need for us to approach our digital habits with mindfulness, recognising the power these platforms hold and the responsibility we have to navigate them.
Good luck managing your digital days <3
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