Column: I logged off for a week. So should you.

I got my first phone when I was 12. Instagram and Snapchat at 13. Even younger than that, I was watching videos on YouTube and Vine (may she rest in peace). Needless to say, I can’t imagine my life without having instant access to the internet and social media. 

So, when I deleted all social media apps off my phone last week, I knew I was in for a rude awakening.

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2023, 78% of adults age 18-29 use Instagram and 62% use TikTok, both far higher than any other age group. Before deleting those apps off my phone, I was spending four to six hours a day on social media. 

So, what did I learn from being forced back into the dark ages with nothing to satisfy my shorter attention span?

First off, how much I like to read.

I was an avid reader as a child who would leave the Chapel Hill Public Library with enormous stacks of books, only to return a few days later because I had finished them. This past week, I went to the library to check out some thrillers and historical fiction novels, not really expecting much, as I rarely have time to read nowadays with how busy my schedule is.

Or at least, I thought I had no time. 

Without being on my phone 24/7, I was astounded at how much free time I had. I read three books this past week after not reading for fun for months. My favorite one was  “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles, and now I totally understand why the book is so critically acclaimed.

Social media has stolen time from hobbies that I really care about, but also time meant for studying. I studied more this week than I have since coming to UNC (embarrassing but true). I will admit that in the past, there were times in class where I would scroll through X or Instagram and sort of pay attention. Without being tempted to go on social media, I have been more focused in my classes, and I am retaining information better than ever before.

One benefit tops all of these: feeling present.

I can’t even think of how many times being on my phone has taken away from a dinner out or coffee date with friends. As the week went on and I was reaching for my phone less and less, it struck me how much time I have wasted scrolling through social media when what really matters can't be found online.

This past week I have had so many heartfelt conversations and belly laughs that I feel I have been missing since starting college. On Monday, I went to The Meantime Coffee Co. with one of my best friends, Maddie, and we did equal amounts of working and gabbing. It’s not that moments like this did not happen when I was actively using social media, but I never got to sit in them intentionally and relish how special it is to have a loving, supportive circle of friends.

I am not saying social media is awful. So many of the meals I make are recipes from influencers I follow online. I have discovered movies I love to watch and music I love to listen to through scrolling on social media. Without Instagram I never would have listened to Chappell Roan in 2022, cementing her place in my most listened artists.

When I redownloaded Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube on Sunday morning, I did not feel the instant dopamine rush that I used to get when I opened the apps.

Overall, this experience has been very enlightening. It’s one thing to hear that social media is bad for you, but it’s another to see how good life is when you log off. 

So, I recommend taking just a week away from the constant usage of social media and see what happens. Maybe you’ll hate it and immediately log back in, or maybe you won’t. 

Regardless, I hope you realize life is so much brighter when you’re not living it through a screen.

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com