Frequently Asked Questions (and Concerns!)
This is not meant to be a comprehensive explanation of our perspective, just to guide you in the general direction. These questions are all addressed in the APPstinent Manifesto, our “constitution” (yet to be released).
Note: APPstinence is a working definition.
Is “APPstinence” in regards to all uses of all social media for all people?
No. Social media is incredibly integrated in modern society. It’s used for small businesses, news, and sharing work portfolios to name a few. APPstinence specifically addresses personal social media accounts (Instagram shots lying on the beach, Snap streaks, you know, those ones) and how they are particularly detrimental for young people. Using social media to advertise is one thing, but it’s another to use it as an intermediary for your personal relationships. APPstinence aims to create a world where young people change their default social habits e.g. instead of asking “What’s your Insta? I’ll DM you” we’d say “What’s your phone number? Let’s hang out some time.” We want to show people that not only is social media not compulsory, it is a complication. If you have to use a platform in another facet of life, that doesn’t mean you can’t be APPstinent!
Isn’t “APPstinence” basically just digital minimalism?
No, it’s more in the best way. We love digital minimalism, and were originally bound together under Cal Newport’s principles. However, we wanted to expand on it to address the unique social lives of Gen Z (and soon Gen Alpha) by combining digital minimalism with analog maximalism by Vladimir Guillouias, or the practice of not defaulting to digital versions of things. A big part of the issue we address is that Gen Z does not have a point of reference for doing everyday things in analog . Our approach decreases the use of social media while actively building up tactile, in-person engagement. This formula informs our suggestions: encouraging in-person phone-free hang outs, observant walks instead of TikTok to “turn off” your mind, talking to friends about the news instead of consuming it yourself, just to name a few. Think of digital minimalism as the “beating heart” of APPstinence.
Why can’t I just self-regulate my use instead of delete my social media accounts altogether?
A common argument is that if we just had the most perfect system, the bulletproof “screen time” blocks, and the right digital literacy, we could flawless control our tech use. The reality of this falls so short. While this is an approach, here at APPstinent we believe that this practice is more trouble than it’s worth considering the alternatives. Here’s a common situation:
“I really want to stop watching so many Instagram Reels, but my friend group’s groupchat uses Insta DM. I decided I will just try to be really good about not clicking on the Reels tab, and just check the DMs.”
There’s two problems with this. First, this is really difficult, and most will fail. You’ll end up watching Reels as we all know. Second, this is unneccessary. There are group messaging services that do not have infinite scroll brainrot, and keep you just as in-touch. Additionally, “keeping up” with your friends is more than seeing a Tik Tok they sent, it’s spending quality time with them and showing them you care about what’s going on in their lives. Give them a call instead or arrange to meet up. However, a larger issue arises: if a bunch of teenagers are dead-set on using Instagram to communicate, it would be really hard for one teenage girl to decide to be APPstinent. This problem requires a societal redress, one that necessitates collective action to edit the ecosystems youth are in.
Not using these platforms eliminates so many unnecessary battles. Even if you’re good about controlling your use, it isn’t necessary to drain your willpower and mental energy doing this. There are other ways.
How will I be able to keep up with my friends and the news? Won’t I be lonely?
The dominant narrative of “being up-to-date” is a bit self-centered. What grand event happening halfway across the world needs you to know about it right now? Social media encourages a strange sense of self-importance, that somehow everyone knowing about something the second it happens equates with substantive action on it. This is not the case, and takes away from us being available for our local communities. That being said, it is important to be generally aware of what is happening outside of our immediate surroundings. However, there are MUCH less inflammatory ways to learn about what is happening in the world, such as over a meal with a friend or using a stripped browser to read non-sensationalized headlines.
Second, social media fills the void. We all know this by now. No person would say that the 2D version of their friends is preferrable to the 3D one, but it’s what we have defaulted to and taking it away then causes loneliness. If we live in 3D then we won’t need the 2D to fill the void, and you won’t be lonely. Phone calls and groupchat “photo dumps” are much better ways to keep up with friends. Seeing them passively sitting on the beach with a cocktail is not “keeping in touch.”
But I use it to entertain myself, why should I be less entertained? That’s boring.
There are a plethora of other fulfilling, high-quality ways to be entertained that do not condition you for compulsive use. The quick dopamine hits of social media certainly feel good, but are not good for your willpower, agency, and cognition. Life is so rich, let’s go find out why!
But if I delete social media then my friends won’t talk to me as much.
First, there are many other ways to stay in touch with friends using technology that is not scroll-based, addictive social media. Some examples are doing “photo dumps” in groupchats. Second, being open and transparent with your friends about your lifestyle builds connection in and of itself! It allows them to know you better and what your values are. Also, if you lose friendships because you don’t want to specifically look at 100 TikToks a day, ask yourself if that person was really your friend in the first place.
But I use it for school, for study groups and stuff.
This is a growing issue. As social media creeps into the fabric of society, it is becoming harder and harder to avoid using these compulsive platforms to sufficiently participate in other facets of life. Our current solutions encourage workarounds such as using text chats instead of DM chats. This way you can still meet up, but you don’t have to contend with an interface that is so trapping.
But if I delete my account then I won’t understand the TikTok jokes my friends make and the latest fashion trends.
Listen, APPstinence doesn’t mean that you should never watch a TikTok again or see a meme your friend sent. It just removes the large channel of consumption that is the personal account. Think of it as choosing not to keep cookies in your house, but when you go out you’ll indulge once in awhile. If there is some trend worth knowing about (but also ask yourself if most trends are even worth knowing about…) then ask a friend to update you. Think of it this way, if something is really that funny or important, it will make its way to you. Ironically, in the digital age we are so immersed that even the most APPtinent of APPstinent will still see these mediums once in awhile. That’s fine, as long as the vast majority of your reality is formed from the 3D, then a crumb of social media won’t hurt you.