It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole with social media’s infinite scrolling.
It’s hard to resist the pull of clickbait headlines, especially those that don’t have complete sentences but end with…
It’s their game of dot dot gotcha! And they win, even when you know what they’re doing to you.
And did you read that article about…?
I can’t believe someone who stands up for what they stand up for would stand up and take a stand on THAT!
And did you see the comments on that post by…?
Such vitriol.
I. Just. Have. To. Say. — Something!
Wait. Who am I mad at?
Why am I mad? Do I know them?
How did I get sucked into this brawl?
Did someone call me chicken?
Wait. No one said anything—to me.
It’s not my fight.
Why am I jumping into the middle of a fight?
Who do I think I am? A superhero?
I’m going end this heated, overemotional dispute with my superior logic and super wit?
Ugh
I feel angry all the time.
I feel depressed.
I can’t believe there are people in the world who believe all that garbage.
I should just quit Facebook.
And Twitter.
And that other one.
Just say no
Say no to wasting time online.
The Internet is not a vast wasteland. There is good out there on the interwebs. Do people still say interwebs? Why did we ever start saying that?
It used to be a Super Highway. Now it’s got potholes.
Digital road rage makes it dangerous to drive.
Not to mention those marauding trolls who attack without provocation.
Take the exit
There’s a better highway up ahead.
It’s safer. It’s smoother.
It’s still sometimes a challenge to drive, but it’s better.
Learn something
Never before in history has there existed this much information, creativity, and education so easily accessible to (most of) the world.
If you wanted to learn to play guitar or boogie woogie blues piano, there are videos online that you can watch and learn how.
If your garage door stops working, there are videos that show you how you can fix it yourself—and when you should call a professional.
If you want to become a writer (or a better writer), you can access blogs, podcasts, and online courses that will show you how.
If you don’t know how to make your teaching mobile friendly so people can learn on the go, there’s a place you can learn online.
(Right here and OnTheGo.FM, by the way.)
What do you need to learn?
What are you struggling with right now?
Start searching Google and you’ll see other things people are searching for in that same area of concern.
No matter what you’re going through, searches like that prove you’re not alone. Other people are dealing with situations like yours.
Do you need to be a better parent?
A better spouse?
A better boss?
A better employee?
Answers are waiting for you online.
Of course, you have to assess the accuracy of the information you find. Consider the source of the advice you’re reading, hearing, or watching.
That’s information literacy, and it’s important to learn. In fact, just search for “information literacy” and you can learn all about it.
But the point is you can avoid the trolls, potholes, and bizarre rabbit holes.
Don’t waste time online.
Learn something.
