Everyone being digitally connected comes with its perks and downsides. Digital connections allow people to connect to others around the entire globe, but at the same time weaken connections with those closest to us.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to more than a year of online-only connection for many students, leaving them disconnected because they only knew how to communicate through their devices and now are not able to hold conversations in person.
Being digitally active affects how many communicate and a large amount of students aren’t aware of how addicted they are to their devices. Many students now do not want to make connections or can’t even talk to others in their classes.
It seems many students are in a battle with their smartphones. Screen time is taking over in person interactions now. While many connect through their devices, it replaces time to breathe in fresh air and nature.
“In my free time, I play video games, watch TV, study, [and] hang out with friends,” said Delta student Fernando Aguilar, 29.
In order to balance his online time with reconnecting with nature. Aguilar makes sure to take time to be active as well. Aguilar does also have some favored outdoor activities, as well.
“Hiking, soccer, riding through bicycle trails,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar admits to spending a significant amount of time on social media, but finds his relationship with it is a little more complex.
“I spend four hours daily on social media, typically doomscrolling at night. I’d say I got to meet lots of people through social media.” Said Aguilar. When you focus on the negative, you get negative. It gives me time to reflect on the social relationships I have.”
Without social media platforms that Aguilar uses, he believes his social connections would be improved and he would emotionally feel better.
“I think I would be pushed to be more social in person, you don’t see every aspect of people online comfortably online,” said Aguilar. “Having less f.o.m.o [fear of missing out]. Less stuck.”
Ayanna Murphy, 19, admits to believing students should have their own opinions and feelings about their lives. Not letting social media platforms control their opinions and making sure to set healthy boundaries in order to implement balance.
“I take mental health breaks and delete it occasionally but I would not fully delete it,” said Murphy. “I have backbone, I don’t look at social media to change my looks, I do look at self improvement videos and I take actions if I need to.”
Michael Castillo Rojas, 18, and Leslie Saldivar, 18, find time with nature to balance out their online lives.
“Yes, I love it, I actually go hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing,” said Rojas.
Similarly Saldivar also enjoys being outdoors to balance her social life from just being all online. She makes sure to take time to be connected to the outdoors as much as she can.
“I like to hike and sometimes I like to go camping,” said Saldivar.
While many students struggle with finding balance with their online lives and their social lives. These students are making time to reconnect with nature, grounding themselves, and actively making choices to be outdoors.
While it can be challenging for many students to take the initiative in making connections, taking steps to go outside like many of these students. Taking some of these actions like these students have taken has helped them ground themselves and not feel so stuck online.
