7 Signs You Are Too Plugged In to Social Media

Summary

The article outlines seven signs that may indicate an individual is excessively engaged with social media and suggests the importance of occasional disconnection to maintain healthy real-life relationships.

Abstract

The article "Practical Social Marketing Tips" presents a humorous yet insightful look into the modern obsession with social media. It cites the extreme example of an Australian mother who unplugged her family for six months, as documented in "The Winter of Our Disconnect." The author does not advocate for such an extreme measure but does encourage readers to be mindful of their online habits. The piece lists seven indicators of social media overuse, such as considering a waterproof iPhone for the shower, texting during sex, and prioritizing online sharing over real-life experiences. It emphasizes the importance of being present in real-world interactions and suggests that technology can sometimes be a barrier to genuine human connections. The article concludes with a call to action for readers to disconnect for short periods and offers 21 free article ideas to inspire content creation on social media platforms.

Opinions

The author believes that the idea of a waterproof iPhone for use in the shower is an absurd sign of social media overuse.
Texting or tweeting during intimate moments or social gatherings is seen as a significant breach of etiquette and a sign of being too plugged in.
Younger individuals, particularly those under 25, may view the physical world as secondary to their online presence, which is perceived as an unhealthy perspective.
Saying "LOL" out loud instead of actually laughing is considered a humorous yet concerning indicator of social media's impact on communication.
Using a keyboard as a pillow is humorously presented as a sign of being overly absorbed in the digital world, potentially at the expense of real-life interactions.
Texting in a movie theater is viewed as disrespectful and indicative of an inability to engage with the present moment.
The author expresses concern that some individuals might neglect real-life relationships if their friends and family are not active on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
The article suggests that technology can be used to avoid real-life relationships and vulnerability, but that real connections are far more valuable than virtual ones.
A balanced approach to social media is recommended, with occasional disconnection to foster in-person relationships and experiences.

Grind, grind, grind, and grind some more…

Social Media Marketing gives us the opportunity to be more plugged in than ever before. In our increasingly “plugged in” culture there are some who question whether it is possible to become too plugged in.

For example, an Australian mother, Susan Maushart, took her entire family, including 3 teenagers, off of electronics for 6 months. She chronicles their story in the book “The Winter of Our Disconnect” (nice title)

I’m not suggesting you unplug for 6 months. I do encourage you to be watchful to see if you may in fact be too plugged in. And if you find that you are… maybe unplugging for a week or a weekend every once in a while would be enough.

To that end, here are the 7 Signs You May Be Too Plugged In:

1. You think a water proof iPhone for the shower or tub makes sense: Have you ever gotten out of the shower or bath to check your tweets? Or a text message coming in?

There is a Weird Al Yankovic video called “White and Nerdy” in which they show the main character with a rig that allows him to work on his laptop in the shower. It scared me when this made sense to me.

2. You have texted during sex: I swear I am not making this up. I have heard stories of people who have actually tweeted or texted during intimate moments. Talk about a mood killer!

But this also applies to tweeting or texting when you’re out for a meal with family or friends. Don’t talk and text. It’s rude. There are real people there waiting to engage with you. Pay attention and be present.

3. You believe the “actual physical real world” is just an accessory to your online life : Seems to be more prevalent with the under 25 crowd, who have never known a world not plugged in. If you ever look up from your smart phone and think “Oh yeah, this is real” this could mean you. When you get big news and the first thing you think of is “I can’t wait to share this on Facebook”, you might be in danger.

4. When you “laugh out loud” you actually say “LOL”: I’ve heard my youngest son and his friends actually do this. All I have to say is OMG.

5. You believe your keyboard makes a good pillow: How many of us who spend a great deal of time working with our computers have not done this one? Do you find hours have gone by and you realize you just spent them responding to people you barely know? Might be time to step away from the laptop.

6. You text during a movie in theaters and actually believe no one sees the light from your phone: Unless it is an emergency there is no need for this. Enjoy the activities you are participating in, when you are there. Consequence for violations should be having to clean the theater floor. With your tongue.

7. If your friends or family aren’t on Facebook or Instagram, you rarely speak to them: Make sure you are still having human relationships in the real word.

While there are many advantages to our ultra-connected world for businesses and consumers alike, there are also dangers. You want to be able to form and keep relationships IRL, or “in real life”. As with anything, balance is key.

Many people use technology to hide and isolate themselves from real life and real relationships. Maybe because those require real trust and there’s the possibility you can get hurt. But real relationships trump virtual any day of the week.

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time for you to disconnect, even if it’s just for one 24 hour period. Go out and talk to real people in the real world.

And it’s time for you to visit the Article Idea Vault where you get 21 free article ideas to use on the socials. 24 hours from now…