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. 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 specifically a firm push for young people to remove social media from their personal lives.
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 likely will end in watching Reels. Second, this is unneccessary. There are group messaging services that do not have infinite scroll, 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.
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. Consider group chats and phone calls. 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.
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 appstinent of appstinent will still see these mediums once in awhile.