A global pandemic, lockdown, fluctuating Covid-19 cases, political corruption, and global instability that includes espionage by cell phone manufacturers and social media companies. The news is largely bad news.
“The trend of doomscrolling has never been higher than in 2020. The intersection of a health and financial crisis, the introspection of a lockdown, and increased screen time means that we have more access to local and international doom and gloom than ever before in history,” explains South Africa’s digital and social media expert, Dean McCoubrey from MySociaLife.
Can his claim be substantiated? If the pandemic had occurred a decade ago in 2010, the news surrounding the crisis would have been limited to just 2bn internet users. According to Statista, in 2020, there are now over 4.5 billion users online with almost 4 billion using social media and accessing news via the portable smart device in their bag or back pocket.
“When things go bad we can find out about it immediately due to social media feeds. They are spontaneous. Traditional news was never this quick. Moreover, the news that spreads online is not always factual,” he adds.
Netflix’s recent hit documentary, The Social Dilemma, officially exposed the algorithm that serves social media users more of the content based upon their preferences and their clicks. Interviews with some of the original product developers and inventors of the world’s largest technology brands reveal their regret for how these products have impacted the world in terms of online hate, divisiveness and the rise in mental health disorders.
Despite some of the frightening and concerning things that are happening in the world, there are also many developments and reasons for positivity, especially being in the most advanced technology point in history.
“Consider the development of the vaccine in which there are more than a few trials in advancing phases. If we saw a daily news report that opened on the latest development of the vaccine, would we see things slightly differently – with a little more hope?” he asks.
Negative news fuels fear and divisiveness as is now seen in politically unstable, or even apparently stable, countries like the United States.
“Consuming depressing or dramatic content affirms our belief that things are unsafe or dangerous. In one sense it makes us feel safe to confirm that the world is unsafe.”
McCoubrey questions if we didn’t consume as much negative media which include fake news, and are purposely driven to send more content of the same theme via its divisive algorithms, would we see people feeling less stress fear and anxiety?
“Would Covid-19 have been more manageable? Not less severe, but more manageable. Let me be clear that the news cycle has undoubtedly saved hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives, but there is definitely the fallout of an infodemic.
“In schools, the number one lesson that our students asked for in our digital life orientation programme last month – out of the eight modules which we offer – was mental health, and the second most requested lesson was tools to help focus. With teens having similar access to adults via social media their brains are not necessarily equipped to process or manage this flood of information, even if they appear technologically confident and competent,” he adds.
The solution is more simple than you imagined. McCoubrey outlines seven simple ways to own your time more wisely and see mental health benefits.
- Take a break from news for 14 days: A media less of your news detox will prove that life goes on regardless of your news consumption
- Turn your phone off, and place it another room after work: Research shows that we will return to our phones if they are nearby and the phone is still on
- Eat meals without phones: Talk with family members and friends – real-life connection and honest conversation matters
- Read fiction: Many have become obsessed by reality TV and social feeds, leaving us comparing our lives to others momentary snapshots. Jump into a good story
- Take up a brand new hobby: Wire the brain to build a new skill and enjoy the distraction of a challenge, rather than following the same habits – including answering every notification or scrolling negative news daily
- Exercise: Even a walk is important to reward your body. Not just the physical activity – but also the ability to see the vast and amazing world of nature that surrounds us in South Africa
Delivering an eight-module Digital Citizenship Curriculum to Grade 4 to 11 learners in South African Schools, MySociaLife is the leading Digital Life Skills Programme in the country. It has unmatched efficacy (proven data) with regards to student impact and behavioural change from the extensive modules which include: critical thinking, cyberbullying and empathy, sexuality online, a digital values system, privacy and security, mental health and resilience, and screen time addiction. End goal? Safer, smarter kids online – who will be able to explore and excel way beyond their peers as we slipstream into the highly competitive and demanding Fourth Industrial Revolution. info@mediaweb.co.za
