Reducing my use of social media - accountability posts

[Azuresky68]

Good morning. I read all the posts on another thread AIBU about social media ruining people's lives.
Decided to start a new thread for my own accountability regarding the use of social media. Please free to join. It's not about replicating prevoius discussion posts, it's an accountabilty post for anyone wanting to post their strategy for reducing the use of social media in their daily life and staying accountable. Some people on say it's easy - just don't do it, but I am 69 and have found myself wasting too much time scrolling endlessly, despite my intial use being to follow my interests eg health, gardening, arts and entertainment, current affairs etc. I have been on holiday for 10 days and have made a conscious effort to reduce time on my phone.

So why am I posting here! Because I thought a new thread for those who actively want to reduce their time mindlessly scrolling might be of help. It isn't intended to be a chatty thread or it will defeat the purpose! I started off well after deciding to try on my own but the last few days I have found myself back to the scrolling. Wonder if there is an acronym for this activity?
I don't relate to the phrase Doomscrolling as I am usually looking at positive content..just on it for far too long.
I will still use my phone for life admin, specific seatches, listening to music and audiobooks. What i want to reduce is: Binge-scrolling: A term used for the act of engaging in endless, long-duration scrolling of short-form content (e.g., TikTok, Instagram Reels).
Dopamine Looping: Refers to the way digital platforms use algorithmic rewards to keep users hooked in a continuous cycle of scrolling
I will put my first post regarding accountability laater today. Anyway for now I am going back to reading my novel!

@ Azure That sounds like a really good idea. It is hard to monitor time spent, when popping on and off. I think I am reducing by having a bank of you tube time morning and evening, with longer time away from the lap top in between. I am mindful that I do also need to reduce my time spent on here too though.

You can set up separate timers for indidual apps which helps you actually how much you are using each app. For Mumsnet i have limited it to 15 minutes, FB, Insta and Tik Tok 30 mins each, Google 30 mins, Youtube 1 hour and Whats Apps 2 hours. I have managed to reduce time from an average of 6 hours a day to 4 but my aim is 3 for everything with a max of 1 hour in the evening. Do you have a goal?

@Neuronimo even if it's just the 2 of us doing this it might be helpful for us both

Mumsnet is different.

Get a brick

It's not.

I don't want to...everyone is different and I have set my goals out. This thread is for accountability.

This thread isn't for arguments. It's a positive thread about controlling use of mobiles, including uae of social media. I have set my goals out. This thread is for accountability.

Yeah, so there was a thing called a brick, google it , it restricts your ability to access social media

oh for fuck's sake, this is a ridiculous thread
you want advice How to reduce your social media so we give you advice and you say that's not the kind of advice you want.

The OP didn't ask for advice.

I agree with you, OP, I'd like to reduce but not stop completely.

Thanks. You are right this thread is for accountabilty not advice! We all use different things online for different reasons so one way doesnt suit everyone Restricted nyself to 15 ninutes a day on Mumsnet. to avoid going down rabbitholes!

So I was typing a reply six days ago and my five month old laptop crashed and had to go back to the store for repair. I have had an enforced break which has been really strange 😃I was a bit jittery for the first couple of days and haven't enjoyed it.

I have read more and watched more good documentaries and dramas without distractions. I have had a dedicated time for reading with DH in the evenings, since we both struggle with concentration. I think I missed Mumsnet the most. No vinted wither which has helped the bank balance.

So I was typing a reply six days ago and my five month old laptop crashed and had to go back to the store for repair. I have had an enforced break which has been really strange 😃I was a bit jittery for the first couple of days and haven't enjoyed it.

I have read more and watched more good documentaries and dramas without distractions. I have had a dedicated time for reading with DH in the evenings, since we both struggle with concentration. I think I missed Mumsnet the most. No vinted wither which has helped the bank balance.

Apologies posted that twice