#ScrollFreeSeptember

I’m taking part in #ScrollFreeSeptember which means that for the whole of this month I am not using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube. It’s been just under 48 hours since I started, and I have to confess to feeling quite excluded from the world already!

I don’t post a great deal on any of the social media platforms, but I do browse them and enjoy seeing what other people are getting up to. When I’m working it doesn’t bother me, but I live alone and it’s in the evening that I use it most. Having Facebook open is a bit like having somebody else in the room. For example, when I’ve watched, say, the latest episode of The Bodyguard – the current tense drama on TV – if somebody was in the room with me we’d chat about it. Facebook is like having lots of friends in the room.

Twitter I enjoy browsing just to see what other – often well-known – people have got to say about current issues, and also pick up on breaking news. Twitter is more about world affairs. Instagram is where I can see my family and friends’ photos – many of them live in other countries, but I can still feel close to them by seeing their pics.

I’m part of the generation for whom technically this is all something very new and I know many of my peers don’t use social media at all, but I love it and confess to enjoying browsing what people have got to say – maybe it’s just my naturally nosy nature! It makes me feel connected to the world and I think a lot of older people who live alone could benefit if they used social media a little more as they would feel more connected. It’s so nice to follow the lives of friends and family, wish them happy birthday, see wedding pictures, photos of new arrivals in the family.

The other side of the coin, and another reason why I’m doing this challenge, is the negative side of social media, particularly when it involves young people.

Sadly, social media has become a bit like the fashion police for many young people. I have a feeling that younger people are more likely to feel isolated as it can exaggerate any differences they may feel.  This can lead to feelings of low self-worth, and in extreme cases suicidal thoughts – and actions. People always seem to post pictures of happy smiling people in gorgeous locations. I am a civil celebrant and recently took the funeral service of a young girl who took her own life just an hour after posting a picture of her smiling happily at a party with friends.

I really don’t know how I’m going to get on with #ScrollFreeSeptember. SkyTV are ‘monitoring’ a few of us so that’s an incentive to stick to it…

So if you’re reading this I hope you can wish me luck – and more importantly, if you feel like supporting what I’m doing please go to my Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-d which links to PAPYRUS, a UK charity that exists to try and reduce young suicides and offer support to young people. Even if you don’t want to donate, please just share the page as raising awareness might help just one young person to take a positive step rather than a negative one.