PP1: Personal Media Usage

 Personal Media Usage

Image from Pinterest.

Media has become a central part of modern life, influencing how people communicate, inform, and entertain themselves on a daily basis. Last semester, in Introduction to Mass Communication, I wrote a paper over this same topic, and have noticed a slight difference in my habits. Most of my media consumption on my phone is occupied by social media usage across multiple platforms, while, on my MacBook, it is taken up by school work. Analyzing my current media usage helps me better understand how digital consumption impacts my productivity and social connections. 

My daily media usage on my phone mainly revolves around social media. I spend a larger portion of my free time than I would like to scrolling on apps like TikTok, X, and Instagram, with TikTok being the most prevalent. Primarily, I use TikTok for entertainment, X for keeping up with current events, and Instagram for keeping track of my friends and family. For communication, I mainly use the iMessage app, though I also sometimes use the direct messaging features on the previously mentioned apps. 

I also use my phone for other entertainment besides social media, such as reading, music, and video streaming. Sometimes, I find it easier for myself to purchase an eBook than to buy a physical copy, so a majority of my reading is done digitally. I use Apple Music to listen to music on a daily basis, most often in my car or while I'm completing tasks at home. I use television streaming apps and YouTube to watch shows, movies, and videos on my phone, as well. 

A side by side of my weekly average compared to my highest consumption day. 

On the other hand, I use my MacBook primarily for academic purposes. My screen time is mostly taken up by whatever websites I am conducting research on. When taking notes, though, I prefer to write them out on paper rather than digitally. I do use my MacBook for entertainment purposes as well, though. Sometimes, I stream television or play games on the device to pass the time. 

The number shown is inflated because I never shut down my computer, but this screenshot shows the types of sites and apps I use on the device. 

My friends and I mainly share the same media habits in terms of time and app usage. One difference, though, is that many of my friends use Snapchat to communicate, while I do not. Most of my friends also prefer to use Spotify over Apple Music. 

My media usage has several positive impacts on my personal and academic life. The internet allows me to stay informed, entertain myself, and communicate with others. It also has a few negative impacts as well, though. One of the biggest challenges that I face is that I am constantly distracted by social media usage. Staying productive is fairly difficult when I know that I can mindlessly scroll rather than do something more worthwhile. 

In the future, I hope to cut down on my screen time. While media usage isn't inherently a bad thing, I think that I use it for an abnormal amount of time, which impacts my sleep schedule and efficiency. Dedicating more time to my hobbies would allow me to reduce my overall screen time, seeing as I would not feel a need to scroll on social media for entertainment. 

A video from Makari Espe on her experience with cutting down her screen time. 

My personal media usage shapes how I communicate, study, and entertain myself. Over time, my habits change, reflecting the way that platforms and apps come and go. Recognizing the pros and cons of media usage allows me to make more mindful choices and find a better balance in integrating my digital and physical life together.