Position Paper #1 - Personal Media Usage

 Personal Media Usage 

Media has dominated our everyday lives. There is hardly a time when I do not see someone using some media. Although cell phones are viewed as a luxury, I see them as a necessity. Our culture has slowly created a need to use our phones for everything. For example, people will use their phones to pay bills, order groceries, or make other purchases. Also, many restaurants today use barcodes to showcase their menus or for customers to order. Recently, I have had to use my phone to check in to doctor's appointments. Individuals have different habits when it comes to media, especially by generation, and they change over time. Three years ago, I examined my personal media usage as a college freshman. Saying my habits have changed would be an understatement. 

Social Media

As I grow older, my interests and priorities change; however, some patterns cannot be broken. For example, it is hard not to always keep my phone with me. Not to say I cannot function without my phone, but I worry I will need it or that there is someone who will need to get in contact with me. Something that has changed, however, is my social media habits. Honestly, I do not find myself on social media as often as I used to. Of course, I am like anyone my age and will find myself scrolling through Instagram mindlessly or looking at what is trending on Twitter, but I limit my time on social media. During my time working at summer camp, I was forced to unplug. I found it refreshing to limit my screen time during the day, especially videos. Because of this revelation, I deleted TikTok months ago. Unsurprisingly, I have more time for other priorities, such as homework, reading, or talking to my family. 

The social media platform that I use the most is Instagram. My daily average on the app is around 45 minutes. It is evident that I will dedicate Saturdays to scrolling through Instagram. A majority of that time is used looking at reels. Although I scroll through posts, I will look at my Instagram stories more often. Also, I will use Instagram to find reviews or book recommendations. 

The second platform I use is Twitter. Every day, I will check what is trending on the app. Depending on what I find there, I may research different topics or fact-check different news. Twitter is a great way to see opinions in real-time. The first example that comes to mind is when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. I was watching the award show live, and I immediately went to Twitter when it happened. The slap was already trending on Twitter, and everyone was commenting on what happened.

Also, I use Facebook to stay updated with my family or the community. It is easier to find out what is happening in Magnolia through Facebook, mainly because of Magnolia Reporter. When the weather gets particularly gruesome, it is convenient to hear from other Magnolia residents regarding power or blocked roads. Also, new businesses are opening in town, and the most honest reviews can be found on Facebook. I will also find myself on Facebook reels or just scrolling mindlessly. 

Lastly, I use Snapchat to generally keep in contact with my friends. I hardly look at what people will post on the app. Instead of texting my long-distance friends, we will share updates or send random photos. Even when we don't talk, the habit helps us avoid losing contact.

Routine

There are several habits that I find myself doing on a schedule. For example, the first thing I do on my phone during the day is play Wordle. Although the game is not trending anymore, my parents and I still play back and forth. Also, I will do homework on my laptop during some downtime or during class. I will watch television with my parents in the evenings. When I am in my car, I listen to music on my Amazon Music app or a podcast through Apple. 

A recent addition to my screen time would be my Kindle app. I had surgery during the fall semester and spent much of my time reading. After spending a concerning amount of money on books, I decided to buy a Kindle Unlimited subscription to save money. Now, I can read millions of books for free, as long as they are included on Kindle Unlimited. If not available, I can treat myself to a physical copy. So, if you enjoy reading but want to save money, I recommend the subscription. 

My phone says I use 6 hours and 56 minutes of screen time daily. According to Exploding Topics, "globally, people average 6 hours and 58 minutes of screentime per day." So, it is comforting to know that I am average on a global scale. Americans will spend an average of 7 hours and 4 minutes on their phone per day.

My screen time since freshman year has increased significantly. My 4 hours and 25 minutes of screen time would still hold true if it weren't for my habit of reading on my phone. I prefer holding a book, but as I previously mentioned, Kindle Unlimited is a much cheaper medium for my expensive hobby.

Conclusion 

I am curious to see my media habits in the next few years. After all, my routine will change exponentially, along with my interests. As trends change and technology advances, it is interesting to see how people will spend their time. Society is creating a need for everyone to use media. Of course, there will always be people who avoid change, but soon, tasks can only be completed with the internet. Although media does make things easier, it is easy to be concerned about the protection of our information or our privacy. Regardless of concerns, the internet will always be necessary for our culture, and I can't wait to see what else it will accomplish.