Maeve Catherine

Tik Tok is the greatest distraction from my priorities. Tik Tok has become a successful application due to the interests it takes in the user generated content and individualized feeds. Beginning at 8 P.M. on the 12th of September 2023 I removed the short-form video application, Tik Tok from my phone. In removing the application, I set three goals: to decrease my phone screen time, to utilize my free time more productively, and increase my attention span.

I tracked these goals through Apple’s screen time features, how many times I opened my phone to watch Tik Tok, and the number of hours I read.

Through Apple’s screen time features I have solidified my knowledge about the dependency I have on my phone. Despite deleting Tik Tok my daily screen time average was five hours and forty-five minutes. This is 30% down from the week I had Tik Tok downloaded. So, I did meet my goal of decreasing my average screen time.

Interesting data that Apple tracks is the app that is opened when the user picks up their phone. Wednesday September 13, 2023, I picked my phone up and opened it to snapchat a total of 119 times despite only having 86 silent notifications from the application. Through my screen time data, I can reflect on the number of times I opened Facebook and Instagram to satisfy my need to scroll on my phone.  I caught myself scrolling through Instagram Reels a total of eight times over the five days and within my Facebook feed I would get sucked into the cookie design videos around twice a day.

One of the most important aspects of me detoxing from Tik Tok was to have time to read more books. During the summer I could finish books quickly as I laid in the sun but now that I am back on campus my motivation to read is lower. I do my best to spend time with friends while on campus and while on my own it is more satisfying to watch videos. When I deleted Tik Tok from my phone on the 12^th, I enforced reading to take place before sleeping. I did complete the 258 pages of my book that night and read the first chapter of the new book. For the rest of the week, I read my book at night but in between completing assignments and classes I would watch a YouTube video or TV episode. These choices allowed me to increase my attention span.

During this detox I recognized my dependency for the short form content that is prioritized on social media applications. Overall, I would like to avoid all short form video content as it will help me focus on the important aspects of my life, however as it is a popularizing form of media this will be difficult. I plan to keep the application off my phone until I need it for work. I want to be a successful social media specialist so there is an importance for me to know media trends and popular culture.