Weekend Coffee Share: Are Screens and Social Media Addictive?

In my humble opinion… a resounding YES! Please read on because I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

So, back to my post ‘Gone Fishing’ What did I achieve?

I spent more time in the garden, observed and listened to nature, cooked, people-watched, finished my Portuguese summer homework all 20 pages, listened to Portuguese podcasts to try and improve my understanding of spoken Portuguese and watched a few TV shows…. oh, and I started a daily exercise routine, which so far I’ve stuck to when my body decided to cooperate… (I can’t say the same for the diet). I would like to have explored different areas of Portugal and enjoyed the local beaches but sadly it’s Hell on earth with tourists in July and August.

Taking a Break – Gone Fishing

Facebook: I removed myself from numerous social groups that had become toxic, then logged out because, for me, it was the most toxic and addictive place to hang out. I used to waste hours disappearing down various rabbit holes and now I actively resist temptation.

I warned all my friends in advance that they could only connect with me on WhatsApp…haha… I never figured out how to log out of or delete Messenger.

I will use FB again, but not for social, only for the art, gardening, and cooking groups I follow. I tried to find forums, but they are a dying entity. I know from experience; I used to own one of the biggest writing forums on the web.

Pinterest: This was also a potential time-waster, but I now only use it to gather ideas for a particular project.

Instagram: I don’t post, but I confess it is a good way of keeping up to date with my 15-year-old granddaughter.

Snapchat: I attempt to communicate with my French grandkids on a daily basis with photos or chat but even then, it can be like trying to push water uphill with a rake and I learn far more from their friends.

News feed… somehow I managed to remove the widget at the bottom of my PC screen so I’m no longer tempted to get sucked down that particular rabbit warren. Now I am blissfully ignorant of Trump’s latest threats and antics, Climate change, wars…social and otherwise, including the latest drivel from inept politicians and Harry and Meghan’s latest drama. The snippets I catch on TV and the occasional newspaper article or radio phone-ins are enough to feed my waning curiosity. Life is too short to fester over things that are beyond our control.

Blogging: Yep I have missed the blogging community!

So, after weaning myself off various Social Media platforms, etc. I confess I am probably far more aware of the issues re screen addiction and mental health and as such, this time away has offered the opportunity to take a step back and observe.

For example, when I go to restaurants or bars, I now notice how families, couples etc. interact. Most spend more time absorbed in their phones than in conversation. It’s SO sad. Yes, I often share photos with our family on our social group and it’s lovely to receive theirs …. but beyond that I try and resist temptation.

Have you noticed how many people walk around like Zombies with their heads down, eyes glued to their phones? They even cross the road, totally oblivious to traffic.

Have you watched Toy Story 5? It is sadly didactic.

Are screens replacing toys and human connection and, with them, the art of conversation, play and imagination?

Having just spent two frustrating weeks watching two of our grandchildren literally disappear into their iPhones to the point where the world around them didn’t exist, I am anxious for the future. They should have been enjoying their holiday in Portugal, but instead, they hid in the bedroom on their phones or, if not in their room, at any and every opportunity, wherever. I called them screen zombies. I feel sad. As the years slip away from me, my time with them is precious.

My enquiries about their hobbies and interests away from the screen were met with a shrug as they continued scrolling. It’s not just social media; it is also games etc. One day I watched as my grandson tapped furiously on his phone screen, his face a picture of concentration. ‘What are you doing?’ I asked and without looking up he replied, ‘Playing a game.’ It was the same when we visited them; then it was not only phones it was playing interactive games with friends online via the PS5.

I tried to hold conversations with my granddaughter. Asked her to paint my nails as she usually did. Do some stone painting as we used to… or other crafts. Go for a walk. Nada. The one morning she did ask to paint she lost interest after 10 minutes.

We used to play card games as a family. UNO was the favourite. But not this year.

Will this be known as the ‘Lost or Zombie Generation’?

I think governments are right to intervene and try to ban kids from social media and its addictive algorithms. What about you?

Please don’t forget to share your thoughts on screen and social media addiction.

My thanks to Natalie for hosting the Weekend Coffee Share