In an age of endless scrolling, clicking, sharing, liking (and hating), an important question to ask is: “How do our online interactions affect us?” Aristotle claimed that “we are what we repeatedly do.” When we think about how much time we spend online daily, that’s sobering.
In order to attain the good life, ancient philosophers recommended we cultivate virtues such as justice, prudence, bravery, and temperance. According to Plato—and many philosophers since—though each of these so-called “cardinal” virtues (from the Latin cardinalis or “hinge”) depends on and supports the others, the chief virtue is justice, the right ordering of things. In their view, all virtues serve justice.
Prudence is knowing the just; temperance is reigning in our worse impulses such that we can perform the just, and courage is pursuing the just despite fears of recrimination. Justice is considered the chief of these because it is crucial for society and relationships.
And since man is a “social creature,” the good ends of man cannot be accomplished in isolation. The very fabric of society and all of the benefits that flow from it depend on us relating to each other in “good” or “just” ways. Genuine connections and authentic relationships are deeply valued by philosophers and theologians alike. Christian thinker Dietrich Bonhoeffer claimed, “[The] Human being cannot be understood outside of its relation to others in its world.” Such relationships are vital to human flourishing—to justice.
Given the emphasis the great thinkers of the past placed on relationships, what would they have to say about the social media of today? Despite the promise that social media platforms would help us to connect more and further than ever before, I suspect our philosophical forefathers would be largely critical of the results. Social media gives the illusion of connection but often leads to shallow interactions. The quantity of online friends, followers, or “likes” is prioritised over genuine and meaningful relationships. This emphasis on likes, comments, and shares can distort what it means to truly engage with others. One study’s participants (disproportionately women) reported that “the number of likes and comments they get on their social media posts were a barometer for their self-worth.”
Rather than virtue ethics, social media has given rise to “virtue signalling,” the practice of announcing one’s good deeds and intentions on social media platforms in the hopes of receiving accolades and approval. Virtue, once conceived of as the personal practice of developing good habits and self-control for the benefit of oneself and one’s community, has instead become a performance of inconsistent and piecemeal exclamations, often with no practical follow-through, for the purposes of public approval (this has also come to be known as slacktivism—a portmanteau of slacker and activist). Thus, virtue, once a venerated term, has become a dirty word signalling pomposity and shallowness. But does this apply to everyone or just those few outliers who can’t keep their social media habits within reasonable bounds?
Why all this talk of “over-consumption?” Well, I recently had a wake-up call at the doctor’s office. Even though I wasn’t “obese,” my cholesterol was in dangerous territory (think increased risk of heart attack, stroke, etc.). I was told to change my diet and lose at least five kilograms. That shocked me. I eat the occasional slice of cake, maybe nibble on a chocolate chip cookie now and then, but I mostly have healthy home-cooked meals.
At least, that’s what I thought until I started paying attention to what I consumed. It turns out that the “occasional” cake was more frequent, and the “nibble” was more like several biscuits. And the amount of home-cooked food? Much rarer.
Often, our consumption of social media is very similar. We think that we only partake when we want and that it doesn’t affect us as it does others. We believe we spend a proportionate amount of time engaging in liking, clicking, and scrolling. But have you recently opened your “Screen Time” app to look at the precise data?
I know; I’m afraid to do it as well. But, for you, I’ll do it. Take a look at my usage report for the last week:
As Maxim Institute’s Communications Manager, I do have to spend time on the web. I would, however, like to think I didn’t spend that much time, but you will see it was almost five hours a day. And often on entertainment. I spent almost as much time on my phone as I did at work. What about you? This exact data raises significant questions:
How can we navigate the external world when our internal compass is so unreliable? Given that we can so easily be moved off course, how do we get our compass back in order?
Fortunately, though the ancient philosophers never dreamed of online social media platforms, their timeless observations on the nature of virtues and their advice on how to practice them can help us map a way forward. The classical virtues, a body of reflections and practical suggestions, can help us to establish our “True North” so we know where we’re heading—and we don’t get off track.
The following is a fusion of ancient wisdom with our contemporary digital lives—a practical blueprint for the nurturing of a positive online ecosystem.
Justice:
I mentioned earlier that justice has long been considered the chief virtue. Justice is the right ordering of things such that each person receives their due. This means ensuring each person has the opportunity to access the material, social, and emotional goods they need to flourish. The virtuous individual, then, is someone who focuses their internal life on serving others. If we, then, consider the good life to be one focused on others, we can see how social media interrupts the cultivation of these virtues; one academic has said, “Our capacity to become deeply immersed in a virtual reality … can seriously affect our way of thinking, being and acting in our lives both on- and offline.” More often than not, this enmeshment in virtual “reality” causes us to act in cowardly, unjust, immoderate, and thoughtless ways. As an example, the emphasis of each platform on self-promotion, comparison, and going “viral” can lead to a disproportionate focus on self. If you are rewarded with a powerful dopamine hit when you act selfishly, why would you act in any other way?
Yet… some aspects of social media can also encourage virtuous habits. Social media can be a tool for spreading kindness and compassion. It can be harnessed to uplift and support people through encouraging messages, charitable initiatives, and awareness campaigns. I’m thinking, for example, of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, wherein thousands of people (and celebrities) had freezing cold water dumped on them to raise money for research into motor neuron disease. A disease that was largely unheard of until the successful social media campaign, which raised over $220 million in 2015 alone. And who hasn’t spent a significant amount of time watching people rescue and care for animals? As well as degrading and depressing us, social media can also uplift, support, and encourage us.
These platforms also have the power to unite individuals from all over the world. We converge within this digital realm. Those screens we’re staring at are windows into different cultures, experiences, and viewpoints, nurturing empathy and unity among individuals with unique backgrounds. This interconnectedness serves as a poignant reminder of our common humanity. It underscores the significance of approaching each person with unwavering respect and dignity.
Social media is merely a tool. It’s not evil or good in and of itself. It presents us with an opportunity to use it for good or ill. So, how do we ensure that we’re using it well?
Prudence:
Aristotle said: “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” In order to glean the best from social media, you need to understand the ways in which it affects you. Take the plunge, and look at that screen time data. Are you online more than you would like? Are you online more than you would feel comfortable admitting? Are you noticing similarities between social media use and cake consumption?
Gauge how you feel after an extended session online… Euphoric? Ashamed? Irritable? Do you tend to miss the things that are going on around you because you are looking at your phone? How many times did your friend or child have to say your name before you looked up? How is the conversation at the dinner table these days? A bit shallow? Constantly interrupted by dings, beeps and taps?
If the purpose of social media is to serve your relationships, how should you engage with it? Everyone will have their own answer to this question. Some people use social media to maintain long-distance relationships, especially if they have moved countries and have a whole network of relationships to maintain. If this is you, try setting up a roster of video calls to ensure that you are having more intentional catchups and not just keeping yourself up to date through the news feed.
Social media can also be useful for organising events such as parties. But it can be a significant distraction for people at the event itself. Try a screen-free hangout with board games or other activities to help people relearn the skill of conversation. Social media is also useful for group chats, but it is important to remember that some people are not on the same platforms or don’t feel comfortable discussing real issues via text. Maybe a monthly video call or in-person catch-up can help to maintain the genuine connections that online interactions can sometimes lack.
Temperance:
Temperance is to prudence what Weight Watchers is to dieting. We all know that deciding to go on a diet and actually following through are often very different things. We often lack the self-control to say “no” to cakes and “yes” to carrots. That is why it is so important to set ourselves up for success by joining a support group or clearing out the cupboards.
The same can be said of social media. In the same way that a sugar craving can disrupt our mood and affect our decision-making, social media has been proven to interfere with our mental well-being.
Multiple other studies have shown “a significant association … between social media use and increased depression across a range of ages.” A longitudinal study also found that use over time causes increased depression in users. Social media companies know this as well. Internal studies by Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) found that Instagram use worsened the body image of teenage girls, and “all teenage users of the app linked it to experiences of anxiety and depression.” The use of social media has also been linked to increased cyberbullying and anti-social behaviour in “real life.”
That doesn’t merely distort the relationship with social media but also the person in the relationship. Numerous studies have shown social media’s negative impact on our moods. Teenagers report that after using it for extended periods, they feel “…a lack of interest in the effective role in normal life.” They also reported feeling “envious, insecure, sad, overwhelmed, and anxious.”
So, what is the social media equivalent of dieting?
Aristotle’s basic principle for the practical application of temperance was that you don’t want to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Just as saying “no” to all food to avoid gluttony sounds like a pretty bad idea, saying “no” to all instantiations of social media in our now digital world risks isolating yourself and limiting your opportunities to engage with your community in meaningful ways. Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” invites us to incorporate practical strategies, such as time budgeting and notification management, into our digital lives.
Create a clear schedule with allocated time for social media. This will foster a sense of balance in your everyday life. The first hour after waking, or the last before going to sleep, are perfect candidates for a digital sabbatical, a brief sojourn away from the digital vortex. Push that time out. A weekend, or even a week, could be a wonderful escape from the dopamine cycle. In her book, “Dopamine Nation,” Dr Anna Lemke calls the smartphone “the modern-day hypodermic needle.” Her solution for this is dopamine fasting.
Embracing digital (and dopamine) fasting as a modern adaptation of the age-old practice (that has been shown to be extremely beneficial physically) can serve as a potent tool for self-improvement. Scheduled breaks thoughtfully incorporated into your daily routine can offer moments for introspection, meditation, or connecting with people in real life. You might also carve out dedicated technology-free zones within your living or work space, creating areas where screens are not allowed. These could foster relational connections or give you time and space for reading… oh, what are they called? Oh yes, books.
Why not institute a one-for-one rule which entails ensuring screen time is balanced with physical offline activities? Dedicate an equal amount of time scrolling through social media to the pursuit of a hobby: learn an instrument, go for a walk, learn a language, or tend a garden.
A day dedicated to digital detox, meticulously planned, promises liberation. Disconnecting from the digital world can offer you a great deal of benefits.
By adopting these practical strategies, you forge not only a healthier relationship with social media but also craft opportunities for forging more connections with others and elevating your well-being.
Bravery:
Social media has become a significant force shaping how we communicate and connect with people around us. It is such a deeply ingrained part of our lives that the thought of making significant changes to the ways that we engage with it can be daunting. It takes courage to admit that something may be out of balance in our lives and determination to do something about it. Fortunately, like all the other virtues, fortitude has a social component. Don’t be afraid to talk to friends and family about your concerns, to ask someone or several someones for advice and to help keep you accountable.
Speaking of diets, I still have my high cholesterol days—usually when there is cake in the office. But overall, by cultivating prudence, temperance, and a healthy dose of bravery, I’ve lowered my levels bit by bit to get closer to my goals. Amid the ceaseless smorgasbord of our online age, the discipline of these practices will help anyone escape the digital abyss. You may even cultivate virtues and create some genuine, meaningful relationships. Your digital diet will never be the same.
