Overcoming Digital Paralysis

Today, everything and everyone is hyperconnected. Our phones have become such extensions of us, we are rarely without them, ever. Our social media access is essential, as important – if not more important than roti (food), kapda (clothing), makaan (House)…

No wonder the concept of "digital detox or social media detox" is gaining popularity. We now need tools to reduce our screen time. :)

I recently read a news article that said Instagram was the most deleted app of 2023, followed by Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and WhatsApp. Looking around me, it is hard to believe anyone can delete these apps anymore as the withdrawal anxiety is non-trivial.

Do you feel the need to step back from all the apps? Feel overwhelmed, anxious, etc.? And frankly, just plain tired of the constant feed of ‘curated perfection’.

As per statistics -

Users spend an average of 2 hours and 27 minutes daily on social media platforms.

210 million people suffer from internet and social media addictions worldwide.

50% of Gen Z and Millennials use social media as their primary news source.

The effects of social media are felt across all age groups but in different ways.

We all know that the pursuit of likes, comments, and shares can turn into a relentless chase for validation. It can go down from a dopamine hit to a downward spiral.

For young adults, the pressure to maintain a certain online presence can be overwhelming. The constant comparison can erode self-esteem and lead to issues such as anxiety and depression.

Older users are affected by the time-drain and spread of misinformation that can lead to a skewed perception of reality.

In a world where screens glow brighter than stars, and notifications rain down like confetti, we delve into the captivating realm of smartphone behavior. Brace yourselves for jaw-dropping stats and eyebrow-raising revelations

On an average day, users tap, swipe, and click their way through a staggering 2,617 times! That’s more finger action than a concert pianist during a Beethoven symphony.

4 hours and 10 minutes - that’s how long the average person spends with their beloved smartphone each day. Forget candlelit dinners; it’s all about screen time.

A whopping 87% of people experience anxiousness when they leave their phone at home. It’s like missing a limb or forgetting your favorite superhero cape.

Ever wondered what people do in the bathroom? Well, 73% bring their phones along for company. From reading news to scrolling through memes, it’s a throne room tech fest.

Before drifting into dreamland, 69% of folks check their phones within 5 minutes. Forget bedtime stories; it’s all about notifications and memes.

Move over, teddy bears. 66% of people sleep with their phones. It’s like having a digital cuddle buddy.

Some folks unlock their phones more times than a magician’s hat produces rabbits. 43% unlock their phones between 51 and 100 times daily. Abracadabra.

In a dramatic twist, 32% spend more time with their phones than their significant others. Sorry, romance—Instagram Stories are calling.

Also, short videos have taken over the world. And are successfully deteriorating attention spans. I was not surprised to read that most ‘double-tapped’ reels are less than 10 seconds long.

The ease of consumption leads to a passive, almost addictive engagement. The infinite scroll feature has exploited our brain's craving for novelty and instant gratification.

More meaningful, in-depth experiences are more and more a fantasy lifestyle.

No matter how many reels we watch, there’s a sense of dissatisfaction and emptiness after scrolling.

Balancing our digital lives with our well-being, good luck in having that family conversation.

Here’s what we can do to cultivate healthy digital habits:

Use apps or built-in phone features to limit your daily screen time.

Follow accounts that uplift and inspire you. Unfollow those that trigger negative emotions or encourage unhealthy comparisons.

Reserve certain hours of the day as tech-free or device-free zones.

Regularly assess how social media affects your mood and adjust your habits accordingly.

There is no dearth of advice. But as they say, preaching is easier than practising. I know that doing less digital is not easy to achieve.

What are your views on screen time and digital detox, what works for you?

How can we break free for effective decision-making:

Limit your options: From the vast array of choices, make a quick shortlist. This reduces the overwhelm.

Embrace Imperfection: Perfection is the enemy of action. Aim for progress, not perfection. This means enjoying the experience of choice versus indulging in regret of how it could have been better

Balance Intuition and Analysis: Trust your gut feelings while backing them up with solid reasoning.

Take Action: Sometimes, you need to leap and build your wings on the way down. Action trumps endless pondering.

The answer lies in tapping into the subconscious mind through sensory and neuromarketing techniques. Sharing some interesting insights:

People often make purchasing decisions based on emotions rather than logic. An ad that evokes happiness or nostalgia is more likely to resonate.

When it comes to using colours strategically, you must have seen that the sale or offer pop-ups are always in red - creating an urgent appeal. Whereas when it comes to CTA buttons, green ones perform the best.

Web users typically scan pages in an F-shaped pattern. Smart marketers place key information along this visual path.

Images adhering to the rule of thirds (photography principle) are more appealing and memorable to viewers.

Scientists are widely using the fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technique to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It helps marketers understand which parts of the brain are activated by different stimuli.

Another one is EEG (Electroencephalography). It is an electrical activity in the brain. It’s used to track how quickly and intensely the brain responds to marketing messages.

I believe that by understanding the science of neuromarketing, you can make more conscious consumer decisions – or perhaps even apply these techniques in your own life.

Disclaimer: This story may contain traces of satire, hyperbole, and digital mischief. Viewer discretion advised.