Yes, that's a word. To cyberloaf is to "engage in non-work online activities while “on the clock” – it's a modern form of counterproductive workplace behaviour. Rather than stealing company goods, the modern work environment with its various digital devices easily allows many employees to essentially steal company time" (*).
Personally, I think this can be applied to more than just work...I'd probably tweak the definition to read more like, "it's a modern form of counterproductive LIFE behavior." Why? Because it literally interferes with engaging in life around you.
Let's think about it. Have you ever caught yourself cyberloafing at work? Or in church? Or the grocery line? Or at a traffic light? On a walk? At the dinner table? It's a mindless action for many of us (yes, I too have cyberloafed), and I believe it stems from this addiction we have to constantly feed our eyes and dull our minds with one thing or another. Over the weekend (especially after church this Sunday), I felt a strong need to give up social media for little while. Where a lot of my time had become devoted to, outside of work, was screen-time. So, on 3/11 (Monday) I began my week-long social media fast, which will be followed by scheduled screen time while I work on some purposeful self-control (no, that's not redundant at all).
Can I tell you, I didn't think I had a problem. I mean, I can honestly say I made it through college AND grad school without being glued to my phone. But as a working adult, I have found that I have filled in "free" moments (whether they're truly free or not is debatable) mindlessly scrolling on Instagram, Facebook, and even occasionally I'll make my way over to Pinterest. Has this been purposeful, conscious behavior? Am I finding helpful info or ideas? 85% of the time the answer is: Nope. I'm just scrolling along, checking things out, eyes glued to the screen. That to me was the scary part. How mindless the action had become.
In the 3 days I've been off of social media, I lost count of how many times I have reached for my phone in "free" moments: first waking up "Let me check my facebook"/"How many likes did that photo I posted on insta get?"), "It's my lunch break...", "It's a red light", "I'm just eating my breakfast...". Do I really need to continue? I'm embarrassed and frustrated with myself for letting it get that out of hand! Now, yes I am trying to develop something of a small, helpful presence online, especially here and with my music, so I will need to return to the S.M. World. BUT - do I need to let it consume my thoughts? There have been so many times where I've said to myself over the past 3 days, "That's facebook-worthy/That's insta-worthy". Like, I've limited LIFE and its moments to snippets worthy of being posted on a site that sure, probably several hundred will see, a few will like, and most will ignore. That's not living and engaging in life and community. To me, it brings the word 'mirage' (something that appears real but isn't) to mind.
Now, let me reinforce and reiterate that I don't think there's anything inherently wrong/evil with social media. On the contrary, it's been a great way for me to find out about different community events, local places, and important news related info. I keep in touch with friends around the globe and all of the things happening, adventures had, etc that occur in their lives. But, as anything in life goes, too much of something is bad for you. If social media has gotten to the point where your time 'on' isn't self-controlled and/or conscientious, then maybe it's time for a detox. Trust me, I'll be returning to the Insta and Facebook world, but this time I'm going to have a plan - scheduled on-time - and hopefully create a new and healthier routine.
[Quote in the first paragraph is from:]
P.S.
I got super curious about the type of research studies that have been done on "social media addiction" (it was a buzz-word for a while...), and found a bunch of articles to read. SO the chances of me writing another blip-blurb about this issue are high, and I'll be wearing my researcher hat then...
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