Day 013. Breaking the Scroll: 91 Days Off Social Media & Rediscovering Life IRL
A Millennial's Digital Detox Diaries. A Level Playing Field for the World.
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This October, I am writing a daily series (Mondays through Fridays) chronicling my eighth time on an Instagram sabbatical. I’ve welcomed this annual ritual since 2016, but this year, I am doing my longest departure and documenting my daily insights for you.
I can’t promise what each day will bring ;)
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Stay tuned—for a little while—to see what I’ll create.
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I grew up in a third world country.
Due to a complex web of factors— like corruption, limited access to quality and higher education, and bureaucracy— amongst other things, social mobility for many in the country was difficult in a country of nearly 285,000,000 people, stretching across around 17,000 islands across a wide archipelago.
But, in the last decade, I’ve witnessed real transformation and a remarkable shift in social mobility. Powered by Big Social (and the Internet), this phenomenon is something to celebrate, one that often goes unnoticed in broader discussions about social media
The value introduced by Big Social goes far beyond just creating internet celebrities. We continue to witness the birth and growth of:
A thriving influencer economy
A booming creator economy
Small brands with a niche
More opportunities for creatives, skilful workers, and freelances
Amongst others.
The level of positive changes doesn’t stop here.
Secondary ecosystems have spawned—both directly and indirectly—due to this digital revolution, creating an economic multiplier that’s changed the lives of millions, if not billions around the world. As with any booming industry, there are risks and opportunities, and everything else that falls in between.
While technology and social media platforms like Instagram have their downsides, it’s essential to acknowledge the advantages they’ve brought, especially for those in developing nations and high barrier industries, like arts and entertainment.
Big Social has become an unexpected catalyst for social and economic change, opening doors that were once unimaginable or nonexistent.
As the saying goes, there’s two sides to every story.
More accurately, there’s always, many angles to one topic. For Instagram’s case, while there’s been a lot of bad press about how terrible it is for mental well-being and for global order and stability, we cannot deny it’s impact on humanity and the world; including the positive outcomes it’s made possible.
I am not diminishing the urgency of addressing the negative repercussions. But like legalising alcohol, Instagram is something we each are responsible of managing. As amongst the disadvantages, platforms like Instagram has also been creating a lot of value for the world too.
To truly explore any topic, we always need to entertain other perspectives and try to look beyond our own world views, even if we disagree, as the world is never as black and white.
The world, with is ever-increasing complexities—globalisation and dependent infrastructures—is necessarily also multifaceted.
Sometimes generalisations are too simplistic to adequately address all the moving parts on a single topic. Let’s face it labelling something as plainly good or bad in the context of humanity is difficult.
It’s no different in the context of social media’s impact on the world. It’s even more complex because what I haven’t talked about are the genuine positives that social media has also introduced.
Hence, the dilemma.
I know I’ve been focusing a lot on the negative impacts, so has books like “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt which has gone viral; for good reasons I might add. The worries that’s been raised around Instagram, especially its use amongst adolescents and children are valid. In fact, it’s things we adults need to pay attention too as well.
But, let’s entertain another perspective and ask how has Instagram helped humanity and better the world?
1. A Global Stage for All & Diversity in the Spotlight
Big Social has revolutionised the concept of celebrity. It’s not only about the Angelina Jolie’s, Leonardo DiCaprio’s, or Beyonce’s anymore.
Now anyone, with a public profile (and Internet access) can potentially go viral and achieve the level of stardom that rivals or even surpasses traditional Hollywood fame.
This democratisation of renown (and fame— it’s less desirable counterpart) isn’t unique to Instagram; it’s a hallmark of even platforms like Substack, where the potential reach is global. It gives creators like me real hope.
Gone are the days when growth and opportunity was only reserved for a select few, with a country or wealth advantage. Today’s ‘celebrities,’ thought leaders, and influencers come from all walks of life—from fashion enthusiasts, to hardcore gamers, athletes, comedians, singers, actors, and everyday individuals.
These modern-day influential thinkers and celebrities are not just growing in fandom; they’re also laughing their way to the bank. Who knew posting selfies, making prank videos, doing make-up tutorials, and drawing and painting can become a lucrative career path?
2. Peer Pressure Glow-Up
Remember when peer pressure was more about questionable choices? Well, Big Social has also made it a wholesome makeover. It depends how you choose to react. You can either harbour jealousy, or channel it into real positive actions.
As we scroll, we’re naturally bombarded with friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike show casing their self-care routines. Before we know it, we’ve become a society more curious about meditation, ice baths and saunas, and general self-care. #Fitspo and #SelfCare aren’t fads, it’s a lifestyle contagion.
Although it’s also easy for the same content to become triggers for jealousy, deprecation, and negative comparison to. So it’s appropriate to also ask, how can we best manage the content we see and how we react to them?
3. Activism Gets A Megaphone
While fake news and conspiracies are Big Social’s infestation, platforms like Instagram have also become powerful stages for social change. Movements like Black Lives Matter and Me Too are a result of the instant and far-reaching distribution of Big Social.
Both movements would’ve seen more resistance without Big Social. It’s why some governments, like the Burmese government wanted to clamp down on the free flow of information. As information can become powerful agents for change, liberation, and rebellions.
4. Small Businesses Empowerment
Big Social levels the playing field. Not only for localised small businesses, but for smaller global players too. Before social media, small businesses can only dream of someday breaking through to join the big leagues. It was a real challenge to go against large corporation, due to budget realities and limited resources for things like marketing and distribution.
Now, any brand with an internet connection, savvy marketing skills, and a social media account, can potentially become a global sensation. Think Hypebeast (Hong Kong), Frank Body (Melbourne, Australia), and Love, Bonito (Singapore); all are brands outside of the US or Europe, whom took advantage of online marketing to earn a global audience.
5. A Revolution for Creatives and Creative Sectors
Big Social has been a game-changer for creatives in various fields—from show business and entertainment to film, music, and visual arts. Think Khabane Lame (Senegal), Rich Brian (Jakarta, Indonesia), Mojo Wang (China/Indonesia), and Red Hong Yi (Malaysia). From independent artists, to small studios, emerging talent now have access to a platform to showcase their work to a global audience.
6. More Paths to Financial Independence, especially for Creatives
Many creatives who previously struggled with low pay now have the opportunity to work for themselves and earn a living from their art, thanks to the exposure and monetisation options provided by Instagram and other social media platforms.
7. Regional Impact and New Ecosystems
The influence of Instagram and Big Social extends beyond individual success stories though. In many regions, like that of my home country, it has become a driving force behind entirely new engines of economy and scale.
While success still requires hard work, consistency, good timing and a bit of luck, the opportunities are more widespread and accessible than ever before—and more importantly, opportunity for global recognition is no longer concentrated in the West.
8. Breaking Down Cultural Barriers
Social media platforms have become powerful tools for breaking down cultural barriers and promoting cross-cultural understanding. These digital spaces enable people worldwide from diverse corners of the globe to connect effortlessly, share experiences, engage with one another, and gain insights into each other’s cultures, traditions, and daily lives.
This interconnectedness has sparked cultural curiosity, particularly among those who were previously hesitant to travel or explore beyond their borders. Psychological research suggests that as we identify more with one another rather than perceiving each other as ‘other’, we move closer to achieving peace and harmony.
Social media is the unexpected facilitator by providing a rare window into diverse culture, of divergent cultural, religious, socio-economic, and personal realities, making the unfamiliar more relatable which in turn reduces the psychological distance, and threat, between people of diverse groups and backgrounds.
It’s not all bad
White Instagram and other social media platforms certainly have their flaws, their role in democratising access, opportunity, and information on a global scale is undeniable.
Instagram is a tool, and perhaps the real solution lies in reconsidering how we use it, rather than avoiding it altogether. These technologies are in many ways neutral, shaped by our intentions and actions.
Despite its many negatives, they have also brought hope by reshaping the landscape of work, business, social impact, and even the idea of ‘celebrity.’ They offer more equal opportunities for individuals and enterprises across the globe, to level the playing field, in incomparable ways.
Social media is here to stay. Considering today’s reflections, I am not too upset about that.
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Thank you for spending some of your day with me.