Stop scrolling: California professor discusses to avoid politically fueled social media stress
SACRAMENTO — Doom scrolling after the election got a lot darker with political polarization reaching new heights pitting Democrats against Republicans.
Social media is now a tool to amplify divisions with many people picking fights behind the comfort of their keyboard, without ever having to face someone they're attacking. UC Merced Philosophy Professor Hanna Gunn says there are ways to tamp down the political pressure and try to see people as human beings, not political rivals.
"The more we approach people as rivals, as political competitors, as people to not be trusted or seen as deceitful, the less we're able to just build resilient and stable and cohesive communities," Gunn said. "So I think we often need reminders that it can be important to relate to one another directly, not politically."
Before the election, the American Physiological Association found that seven in 10 adults said they were stressed about the future of the nation— and the election. Because of the addicting nature of social media, people get sucked back in after trying to distance themselves from upsetting content.
"Part of what's difficult about social media, and technology is that it's addictive, it's alluring," Gunn said. "Instead of thinking, maybe I should get off because this anger isn't productive, it draws us back in."
Data analyst company Skydeo is tracking trends post-election and how the results are changing people's behavior online. Skydeo CEO Mike Ford said people are steering away from those they don't agree with.
"People who are posting certain things are being unfollowed at a much higher rate," Ford said.
For those wanting to cool the increasing political heat, there are things you can do to not contribute to the political polarization online.
"You want to reflect first on whether or not what you're saying would help, push the conversation further, or if it's sort of derailing it," Gunn said. "You can ask yourself, does this need to be said? Does it need to be said right now? What is the goal of sharing what I'm thinking or saying."
Another way to gain perspective and not lose touch with how to see people for more than their political opinion is to spend time in your community connecting with people you may not know, Gunn said. The goal is to steer clear of political conversations which can just add to the strife.
Another option is to spend less time glued to your screen and more time remembering those activities you've always liked doing. Spending time in nature, reading a good book, or visiting friends you haven't seen in a while. In other words, you can put the phone down.
"You could pick something else, you can choose something else and social media doesn't want you to think that you can do that," Gunn said. "It wants you to think the only thing to do in life is to be online."
