I am not writing this to either criticise or exalt Facebook, I am merely reflecting on the fact that a decade is a significant amount of time and with this I can't help but ask, "Are we over it yet?"
It's no secret that technology has grown exponentially in those past 10 years, especially the explosion of 'social media'. To name the most common there is; Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr and MySpace. Facebook usage alone is up 40 per cent since last year and Twitter is adding a staggering 300,000 users per day (KISSmetrics 2014).
Just reading these statistics and the list of social media platforms now available makes it easy to see how some people could spend the majority of their day online. And whilst it can be someone's job; maintaining their company's profile, boosting online sales or advocating a cause or message, I can't help but think how are we spending our personal time? Is it time we switch off?
I was speaking with some friends about this and a few mentioned they no longer use Facebook as they are simply getting bored of it. Perhaps it is because we are all nearing 30 and maybe we are just growing up a bit. But maybe we are longing for something more.
I know I for one am craving more spiritual and tangible experiences.
So I have decided to set myself a small challenge to switch off more often and spend that time on more authentic experiences. For me this includes studying God's word, spending quality time with loved ones, exploring a new creative interest, exercising more and to truly 'live in the moment'.
I want to be still enough so I can hear the leaves rustle after the wind blows, to listen to the beautiful birdsong that's happening outside and to fully appreciate life's simple wonders.
Of course this "switching off" has required some breaking of old habits and the establishment of new ones, which has proven to be at times quite difficult. But I am determined to follow this through as I want to use my time wisely and ultimately for the Kingdom of God.
I am not calling for a boycott on all social media use, as I know what a powerful and wonderful platform it can be. Where else can you reach hundreds and thousands of people in the space of a few minutes? No I am merely pondering on how much of our own, personal time are we honestly spending on mindless scrolling?
Will our lives be made any richer by seeing a picture of yet another person's dinner? Or reading about someone's sweaty body after their 5 km run? I dare say no. I am increasingly more concerned over whether I actually sat down and remembered to savour each mouthful of my dinner and truly engage in meaningful conversation with my significant other. And as I put my head on my pillow each night I want to be filled with peace and joy knowing I used my time wisely each day.
Jo Fuller is an Early Childhood Teacher with degrees in Education and Journalism. Having just returned from living and travelling abroad for the past two years, she now resides in Brisbane with her husband and they are soon to welcome their first child, due in June 2014.
Jo Fuller's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/jo-fuller.html