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If a sudden social media interruption makes you breathless, then you may need to rethink your screen time.
The recent social media blackouts have clearly sounded the alarm for many people.
As Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram closed down, Some people “have nothing to do”, while others call it “a blessing in disguise” because they have to spend quality time with family and friends. Many people also like to be quiet, without annoying beeps and mobile notifications.
Please also read: Why Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are down for 6 hours
Although it is reasonable for most people to be anxious about not being able to get in touch with their loved ones, the power outage highlights people’s heavy reliance on social media.
GH is a professional woman. She said that she didn’t realize that WhatsApp was down, and frantically checked her phone to see the “blue tick”, which indicated that the message had arrived.
“I started to feel anxious because I thought there was a problem with my phone. I took out the battery and tried different methods to deliver my messages, but nothing worked. I ended up wasting a lot of time just trying to “fix” what I thought was the phone The question of the problem. That was when I knew it was dangerous,” she told Khaleej Times.
Please also read:
>> Blackout highlights the importance of Facebook globally
>> How can UAE residents manage their lives without WhatsApp and Facebook
“This gadget dominates my life and my mental health. I feel helpless. I realize that this forced digital detox is a wake-up call for me to limit my use of social media,” she said.
What is digital detox and why you might need it
Mental health experts say that if this sudden social media interruption makes you breathless, then you need to rethink your screen time and establish a better digital real-life balance.
Many people may need digital detoxification-this refers to a period of time when a person does not use devices such as smartphones, TVs, computers, and tablets.
Dr. Mehnaz Zafar Ali, consultant psychiatrist at Al Amal Hospital and Director-General of the World Mental Health Federation, said that it is strongly recommended to maintain mental health and rejuvenate through digital detoxification.
“The whole concept of detoxification is that the point of control must be internal-which means that there must be an’intrinsic motivation to change’. Due to withdrawal symptoms,​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ What happens when social media is suddenly disconnected.
“This should make us think about how much we rely on social media, and we should take the initiative to help ourselves out and out, while delimiting technical boundaries.”
Dr. Ali said that social media has become an effective response strategy for many people due to the social distancing and quarantine agreements during Covid-19.
“Social connectivity avoids the fear of uncertainty and complete misses. Creating a balanced life in this digital world is relevant, and the only sustainable way is to conduct a planned detoxification. This will be at the individual, community or global level. A great move for China,” she said.
Dr. Asad Sadiq, a psychiatric consultant and managing director of the Dubai Psychiatry and Therapy Center, said many people are aware that they are “addicted” to some extent.
“Social media interruptions interrupted some people’s sleep; while others began to recall the past, when people talked and called more face to face. Some wondered: What if Facebook never comes back and all data is lost manage?
“It’s surprising that some people have adapted quickly. Have made phone calls; downloaded and used other apps; Snapchat, Telegram, etc. All in all, this power outage has shown us the importance of social media in our lives. ; It will stay,” Dr. Sadik said.
saman@khaleejtimes.com
Saman Hazik
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