Social media’s effect on our attention span has become a popular discourse nowadays, everyone blaming endless scroll, phones, and big tech companies. So, I wanted to share some of my tips and tricks on how to “regain” your attention back, in case you still need it.
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You probably don’t need social media. Unless you plan or already make money from it, using it every day is a waste of time. I hear people justify scrolling by saying “I learn new things watching reels.” Well, if you really want to learn something, do it intentionally — read a book, take an online course — instead of hoping for a minute of valuable content amidst the brainrot.
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Same with news channels. I unfollowed all news channels on Telegram two years ago, and I didn’t regret it. You don’t need 99% of the information these channels post. And even if something really important happens, you’ll know it anyway — from friends, family, and relatives.
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Turn off your YouTube history. When history is off, you no longer get recommendations or shorts on the main page. Watching content from a recommendation list is like a journey in search of a destination — in both cases, you end up nowhere. And if you still want a daily dose of video content, like me, just follow channels you already find valuable.
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Don’t use AI to do all the thinking. We often treat AI as an all-knowing creature. It is not. Worst of all, we sometimes delegate our thinking to a machine entirely. It’s a handy tool, but using your own intelligence from time to time is valuable in the long term.
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Maybe you don’t need apps on your phone. Instagram, Gmail, Telegram, YouTube, etc. If you don’t need to access these every hour, consider deleting them — you still have your computer to stay in touch with the world. Personally, I deleted Gmail and Instagram a long time ago, but I’m in an endless cycle of deleting and redownloading YouTube and Telegram every week or two.
If you have your own tips, suggestions, or thoughts, share them!