Facebook’s Global Blackout Proved Its Worth
At least the world didn’t end…
My Tuesday morning was a little different today.
Thanks to Sydney’s ongoing lockdown, my mornings usually consist of waking up, taking my phone off charge, and spending an hour doom-scrolling on Facebook. With no immediate things to do during lockdown, there’s no catalyst to get out of bed on most days. Eventually, when my stomach begins to grumble, I’d flick off the covers and go make breakfast.
But this morning, after starting my usual Facebook scroll, something was terribly wrong. My news feed failed to load. I actually thought it was an internet issue to be honest. In fact, I didn’t even notice the real problem until my sister questioned it later. But by then I was well into my day.
You see, I got out of bed a lot quicker than usual since this lockdown began all because I thought it was something I couldn’t control.
I wonder what would happen if I thought it was an app issue. Lots of reinstalling, I’m sure. But because I thought it was an internet issue, I figured to give it time. It’s what I usually do.
But somewhere between pouring milk on my Weet-Bix and listening to Sneaky Sound System, I realised that Facebook is not as necessary as we think. And yet, we treat it like it’s wrapped around our entire lives. As if, without it, we would face the end of the world.
And that didn’t happen. We got up and had breakfast, we admired our daily walks, we were truly at one with the real world. This proves that Facebook is not the greatest aspect of our lives.
Indeed, for some, most social media is important for business and networking. But for everyone else, it’s just a great escape from the real world.
Or is it?
Do you really need to know what all your friends are doing every minute of the day?
Is there a point in seeing the same news story angled in several different ways?
None of this is entirely necessary when you think about it.
Ultimately, the fact that the world didn’t end in the early hours of Tuesday morning proves that social media isn’t as worth it as we think. There’s a real world out there, one that demands attention. It’s not going to move on its own with you mindlessly fingering your phone.
And as well as the world around you, there’s you yourself who needs just as much attention. Not from those around you, but from you yourself. Couldn’t you love yourself just a little by putting your phone aside and embracing the day?
And not just the day, but even your own self. Come on, you wouldn’t ignore your friend by flicking through Facebook in front of them, would you? So why do you do it to yourself?
If that’s not a good enough reason to clamp down on your doom-scrolling, then there’s really no hope.
Gosh, I think even I needed to hear that! And just in time, too. Our tight lockdown is ending next week, making way for FREEDOM!
In the end, Facebook is just Facebook. Yes, it’s a great way for us to stay connected with our loved ones. It’s also a great way to keep up with the changing world.
But, as we’ve learned with this global social media blackout, it’s worth is as much as we give it.
Maybe it’s high time you switch off for a bit?
Hmmm, maybe I should, too…
