Our social media habits over isolation

Have you ever spent 3 hours on Tik Tok or been embarrassed at how long you have spent on your phone? So here is where we come in.

  

We asked 100 students how much their screen time had gone up over isolation. At our college, 88% percent of the girls said their screen time went up over isolation. Meanwhile, 11% of the students' screen time either stayed the same or went down. 

Of the 88% girls whose screen time increased it mainly went up 2 – 4 hours on their phone or laptop. This increase was due to online schooling and more free time since we were not able to do much else but sit on our phone.

Since the lockdown period started, online school added at least two hours daily to screen time. Having to work online with zoom calls and office 365 it all added up. The most common screen time was around 5 hours a day, but it amazed us that some people only spent 1 hour on their phone each day. How did they do it?! 

The most common app was Tik Tok which isn't surprising because it is the most entertaining and easy to watch for hours, making 15-second comedy clips or trying to learn a new dance. But coming in a close second was Snapchat and Instagram. 

81% of students said they met 0-5 new people over isolation and social media because there's more time to speak to people and really get to know them even without meeting them. 

Most people have grown a stronger connection with their friends using social media such as House Party – and the video chatting app, Instagram, and Snapchat. Facetime and Zoom also helped lots of people stay connected. 

Because of this lockdown period, we think lots more people have become more tech involved since we have had more time to try out new apps and social media. 

  

Our Experience                      

Lola - My screen time did go up, but I think that is fine and relatable because there was not much to do. But it is always good to have a break. I think that I have also gotten closer to my family. 

Annabelle - My screen time went up by two hours on my phone and I found that I spent a lot more time on my laptop due to online schooling and lots more free time for Netflix and Youtube. I used Snapchat the most as a way to keep in touch with my friends from school and sports. Facetime was a really good app to keep in touch and get help with schoolwork. 

By Lola & Annabelle