Social Media consumes our world today. It’s everywhere you look. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat—they’re all vying for our time and attention. What would you say to giving those up for a whole week?
This is exactly what many of the youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints did after they were challenged by President Russell M. Nelson to hold a “7 day fast” from all social media platforms.
A special worldwide youth devotional was held at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday, June 3, 2018, where President Nelson issued this challenge.
President Nelson was joined by his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson. Both counseled the youth, ages 12-18, to focus on their faith.
“My dear young brothers and sisters, these surely are the latter days and the Lord is hastening his work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on the earth today,” said President Nelson.
Sister Nelson emphasized that, “It’s time to stop comparing ourselves with others…We are not as hopelessly flawed as we may think and others are not as perfect as they may appear—all except, of course, our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
The first invitation to the youth was to disengage from a constant reliance on social media by holding a seven-day fast. President Nelson cautioned the youth by telling them, “Much of what appears in your various social media feeds is distorted, if not fake. So, give yourself a seven-day break from fake!”
Since the seven-day fast, I have asked three teens about their experiences going without social media for a week. Here are their responses:
Shantel F. said, “At first I was a little nervous. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I knew that if I tried I would be blessed. I was SO REFRESHED! I felt like I had so much time! I’m so glad I did it because I was finally able to do things!
Shantel said she kept checking her phone a lot but the longer she went she got used to it and felt happy.
Plus, she says, “I learned that I have wasted so much time on social media. When it was over I realized that I didn’t want to re-download them because I knew it was going to take all my time.”
Teegan H., found the challenge was not easy!
“I’m not going to lie, it was hard throughout the first couple of days to stay off of social media. Although, once I completed it, I have felt joy and know that I will get many blessings from this challenge by President Nelson.”
Using social media as a way to communicate with her friends made it very difficult for Jaysie H. to give it up for a week.
“It definitely became a habit for me and I don’t think I ever realized how much time I truly spent scrolling through people’s feeds throughout my day.”
Jaysie also pointed out, “There are a lot of people who make their lives seem perfectly perfect on Instagram but the truth is things aren’t that glamourous in reality.”
As a teenage girl, Jaysie found herself feeling less confident or even sad because she didn’t get invited to something or she saw someone she wished she could be like.
But with renewed assurance in herself, Jaysie says, “I now realize that I have an amazing life and I need to live it!”
