The Social Media Experiment

November 25, 2013
Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG/Freedigitalphotos.net

Over the past few months, I’ve started to notice that I’ve become quite addicted to Facebook and Twitter. I’m regularly checking Facebook blogging groups and I’m always on Twitter looking out for tweets with certain hashtags!

In addition to this I’m constantly checking my emails! It’s getting a bit silly! I would have to say that I check my emails 2-5 times an hour, every hour. When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is check my emails and Facebook page.

In the evenings when our girls have gone to bed, I sit on the sofa next to Twin Daddy and I’m glued to my phone!

I’d guess that I spend around 85% of my day on social media sites. On occasion I’ve even found that when I’ve looked up from my phone I’m confronted with a living room that resembles a bomb site from not watching what our twins are doing!

The Social Media Experiment was started by me.


Before the experiment starts I have set out some questions for myself to answer about my social media habits.

Question Time
  • What social media websites are you signed up to?
Twin Mummy: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram although I only tend to use Twitter and Facebook
  • How many people do you follow on Twitter and how many followers do you have?
Twin Mummy: I follow 2,056 people and have 1,877 followers
  • How often do you check your Twitter account in a 24 hour period?
Twin Mummy: A minimum of two-three times an hour, but this could also be up to 10 times an hour
  • What do you mainly use Twitter for?
Twin Mummy: Interacting with other bloggers and getting involved in conversations
  • How often do you check your Facebook account in a 24 hour period?
Twin Mummy: I check Facebook less than Twitter so I would say a minimum of two-three times an hour, but this could be up to four times an hour
  • What do you use mainly Facebook for?
Twin Mummy: Having a nose at other people’s photos and to check blogging groups
  • How often do you check your emails?
Twin Mummy: Around 3-4 times an hour
  • Have you heard of the phrase Phubbing? The act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at your phone instead of paying attention. Are you guilty of this?
Twin Mummy: Yes and Yes! Quite often!
  • Would you say you were addicted to social media?
Twin Mummy: Yes. I never thought I would be, but in truth I am
  • Do you want to reduce the amount of time you spend using social media?
Twin Mummy: Yes. I spend far too much on social media sites and not enough time talking to Twin Daddy in the evenings
  • How do you feel about being banned from using social media for a week?
Twin Mummy: I’m not looking forward to it and yet I am looking forward to it. I hope it will change my social media habits and make me realise that I don’t need to be on it as much as I am
  • What do you think will be the hardest thing about the ban?
Twin Mummy: The thought that I might miss out on some opportunities for my blog and not being able to see what my friends and family are up to on Facebook

Now it’s time for the hard part!

I’ll be banning myself from using any kind of social media for one week. That’s right! One whole week! Seven days! Oh no!

There is slight leniency in that I’ll be allowed to access my social media sites once a day for a maximum of five minutes, but only to post links to my new blog posts for that day, other than that it’s off limits!

You may be wondering why I want to do this.

Well, quite simply the focus is on our social media habits and how it affects our family.

I remember growing up with 100% of my parents attention pretty much all the time, but I’ve realised that my twins don’t always get that and I’d like to adjust my habits and see what positive affect it has.

I want to document how I felt the first day of the ban and compare it to how I felt on the last day and see if it got easier or harder as the days go by.

At the end of the week, I’ll share our experiences with you and let you know if this experiment has permanently changed our social media habits.


How often do you use social media? Do you think you could live without it for a week? 

Emily

I started Twin Mummy and Daddy in 2012.  

Over time Twin Mummy and Daddy has gone from strength to strength. I write about our family life, my love for running and our passion for adventure and travel.  

We’ve also started living a more eco-friendly life. As such I also write about our zero waste journey in a bid to encourage others to think about the impact they have on the environment.

I’m a keen runner and in April 2019 I ran the London Marathon for an amazing charity called WellChild. It’s one of my biggest achievements to date. I raised over £2,000 for the charity and learnt so much along the way.

This year we’re passionate about spending time outdoors. We’ll be sharing our travel, days out and camping adventures right here on Twin Mummy and Daddy.

2 Comments

  • Kim Carberry

    November 25, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Ohh wow! Good luck! I don't think I could go 7 hours never mind 7 days without checking twitter and facebook! Can't wait to read about how you get on x

    Reply

    1. Emily

      November 28, 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks Kim!

      Reply

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