Angela Betita, a dedicated Community Facilitator, and Anne Loren, passionate Volunteer of SEA Inc., working hand in hand to empower communities and drive sustainable solutions.
Sometimes, the most eye-opening moments come from staring at the screen that’s been staring back at us for years. After watching The Social Dilemma (2020), Angela and Anne Loren found themselves reflecting on their digital lives—and let’s just say, the results were more shocking than a 3 a.m. TikTok binge.
Angela: Mindfulness in a Digital World
“Algorithms are designed to keep us hooked—and boy, was I hooked.”
Angela describes The Social Dilemma as a mirror held up to society’s relationship with social media. It revealed how deeply algorithms shape our thoughts, emotions, and even habits, often without our awareness.
“I started noticing how often I mindlessly opened my apps. Just one notification and boom—there goes an hour of my life!” she confessed.
The documentary pushed Angela to rethink her habits. Instead of scrolling endlessly, she now consciously balances her time online, opting to unplug when necessary.
“I’ve learned to ask myself, ‘Is this adding value to my life, or am I just feeding the algorithm?’ Most times, it’s the latter!”
Angela’s Epiphany Quote:
“Social media is like a buffet—too much of it, and you end up with regret, not satisfaction.”
Anne Loren: Detoxing for the Win
“Deleting my apps was the best decision I didn’t know I needed.”
Anne Loren was no stranger to the social media rabbit hole. TikTok videos were her kryptonite, and endless scrolling often cut into her precious study and sleep time. But during her board exam review, something clicked.
“I realized I needed to focus, and that meant making small but deliberate changes,” she shared. Her first step? Deleting all her social media apps.
At first, it felt like a drastic move. But as the days passed, Anne noticed the difference. She slept better, studied more effectively, and found herself feeling less overwhelmed.
“It’s amazing how freeing it feels not to be at the mercy of notifications,” she said. “Those small habits I started—limiting screen time, deleting apps—they paid off big time.”
Anne Loren’s Epiphany Quote:
“Sometimes, the best way to win the social media game is to quit playing altogether.”
The Takeaways: Small Changes, Big Impact
For both Angela and Anne Loren, The Social Dilemma wasn’t just a wake-up call—it was a challenge to take control of their digital lives. Whether it’s balancing screen time or going cold turkey, their stories highlight the power of small, intentional changes.
The biggest lesson? Social media isn’t inherently bad, but unchecked use can have sneaky, insidious effects on our mental health, productivity, and even self-esteem.
Final Thought:
“Your time is a non-renewable resource. Spend it wisely—not just on the next post or scroll, but on moments that truly matter.”
Angela and Anne Loren’s reflections remind us that while algorithms may know our habits, they don’t have to control them. So, let’s all take a page from their book and start curating not just our feeds, but our lives.
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