Technology and Social Connection

Social Connection and Social Media Consumption

Use Technology Intentionally

Technology can either strengthen our relationships with others or it can exacerbate stress and make us feel bad about ourselves – the difference being whether technology is used intentionally or not.

• Check email (or social media apps) intentionally, not compulsively.

• Designate three specific times that you’ll read or respond to an email, or other social media notifications, and turn your notifications off.

• Get a screen timer app that tracks the amount of time spent on screens and what specific kind of apps that time is spent in.

• Decide a place or time when you will “ban” smartphone use. This could be when you’re in your bed, during meal times, or when you’re in class.

• Lastly, use social media to strengthen your real-life relationships, send a morning message to a loved one and encourage them!

Try this social media mindfulness practice!

1. Find a comfortable, alert, and ready posture. Shrug your shoulders, take a few breaths, and bring awareness to your physical and emotional state in this particular moment.

2. Now open your computer or click on your phone.

3. Before you open up your favorite social media site, consider your intentions and expectations. As you focus on the icon, notice what experiences you have in your mind and body.

4. Why are you about to check this site? What are you hoping to see or not see? How are you going to respond to different kinds of updates you encounter? By checking your social media, are you interested in connecting or in disconnecting and distracting?

5. Close your eyes and focus on your emotional state for three breaths before you begin to engage.

6. Opening your eyes now, look at the first status update or photo, and then sit back and close your eyes again.

7. Notice your response—your emotion. Is it excitement? Boredom? Jealousy? Regret? Fear? How do you experience this emotion in the mind and body? What’s the urge—to read on, to click a response, to share yourself, or something else?

8. Wait a breath or two for the sensations and emotions to fade, or focus on your breath, body, or surrounding sounds.

9. Try this practice with one social media update, or for three or five minutes, depending on your time and your practice.

Source: Greater Good Magazine

Importance of Connecting with Strangers

Social interactions, or weak social ties as social scientists call it, with strangers increase our well-being. The connections we make with strangers makes us feel a part of our community by increasing our sense of connection and belonging. According to researchers, weak ties stabilize our social networks, help us learn from people who have different viewpoints, offer stimulation and novelty, greater longevity, and are tied to better health. Emotional health is also impacted by our weak ties. The more weak-tie interactions we have, the happier and more satisfied with life we are. According to one study, those who interacted with a stranger on their commute to work were happier, enjoyed their commute more, had more energy, and had no drop in their productivity compared to the individuals who did not interact with a stranger. Although our real-life interactions have been limited, there is evidence that suggests that weak ties can be facilitated online.

Source: Greater Good Magazine

How can you connect with others during quarantine?

• Quarantine Chat – Helps you connect with a stranger anywhere in the world!

• Big and Mini – Connects younger and older people who want to connect with members of different generations. Studies suggest that building community across generations is good for our well-being.

• Online volunteer opportunities suggested by NPR

  • Be My Eyes – Volunteers offer their assistance to those who are blind or who have low-vision.

  • Smithsonian Digital Volunteers – Volunteer opportunities involve transcribing historic documents, identifying gardens across the United States, or contributing to the Smithsonian Wikipedia page.

  • VolunteerMatch – a virtual volunteering site with postings from across the country. Postings include tutoring, blog editor, making hats or blankets, and youth mentoring.

  • UnLonely Project – Connect with others who use art to express themselves! You can watch a short film and participate in a discussion, share your own art, and participate in creative challenges.

• Live a Dream – Create a short video to be in a video montage to brighten a senior citizen’s day! It could be you playing an instrument, telling a joke, or saying encouraging words!

• Gaming sites that you can meet new people or play with your friends!

  • • • Among Us

      • 10 Online Games

      • More online games!

• Visit our podcasts page!