Read time: 3 minutes
You hear about digital media all the time, but what exactly is it?
Digital media is a broad term for the information that you receive on a desktop or mobile device. Everything you read, watch, or listen to online can be considered digital media. It is more specifically, the digital era that follows traditional media like the newspaper, radio, and even television.
We at 3C Digital Media Network use the following digital media content for our community:
Blogs
o 3C Digital Media Network
o ACT to Live
o leanHcare
Podcasts
o Act to Live
o empowEAR Audiology
o The Listening Brain Podcast
o Telepractice Today
Digital Learning
o Courses
o Webinars
Social Media
o Facebook
o Twitter
o LinkedIn
o Pinterest
o Instagram
Email Newsletter
Digital media is powerful and accessible largely due to technological advances. Wireless connections, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and big data allow all the high accessibility and low cost of disseminating information.
Think about it. How many search queries do you place into Google each day? Better yet, how long do you spend on the internet? If you find your search history long or screen time pretty extensive, you’re not alone. Millions to billions of people look to digital media to inform, entertain, or persuade them somehow.
Digital media broke down conventional barriers that barred the dissemination of information of traditional media like never before in history.
Here at 3C Digital Media Network, our team understands that digital media is a powerful tool that allows people to connect, communicate, and collaborate.
Let’s admit it, there is bad information out there on the internet. 3C Digital Media Network is excited to be where people can find credible information and exchange ideas.
We
hope you consider joining our network, whether it’s following our content or creating alongside us.
You’ve certainly experienced loneliness,
right?. But did you know about its long-term effects?
Former surgeon general,
Vivek Murthy, claims that:
"People who
struggle with loneliness end up living shorting lives…are at an increased risk
for heart disease, depression, dementia, anxiety, and a host of other
conditions.”
Now that statement makes you stop and think,
“I don’t want that.” Now to clarify, loneliness isn’t inherently wrong; each
one of us needs time alone. It also is not entirely based on how big or small
your social network encompasses. Instead, loneliness becomes an issue when it
turns into something more chronic.
Professor of psychology and neuroscience at
Brigham Young University, Julianne Holt- Lunstad, defines loneliness as: “
"…the discrepancy between our
actual level of social connection and our desired level of connection.”
You see, what’s haunting about loneliness is that it shows no prejudice based on race, class, or gender. Anyone can feel lonely, even if it seems like they would be the last person to experience it.
The idea of loneliness can heavily impact not
just a person’s physical health but mental health too. Support systems feel
like they’re breaking down. All you feel is isolation. Self-preservation takes
over.
The point of learning about the effects of
loneliness shouldn’t make you dismayed. Instead, it should inform you to
protect yourself against chronic loneliness better and assist others when they
could feel lonely. Loneliness indicates that we should be connecting with
others to live in a community.
Think about what community means or looks
like to you:
- What does community look like to me?
In-person? Digital?
- What are some communities that I could be a
part of based on shared interests?
Try to identify what friends you connect with
most:
- Which friends do you connect with the most?
Why?
- Should I start making a weekly or monthly
time to hang out more with this friend?
Or you could start making new connections at
the park, an event, at school. Anywhere. On the flip side, give people grace
when they might be feeling lonely. Their distance and bad behavior may be
symptoms of a more significant issue they are internalizing. Better yet, ask
them if they need help with anything. You could brighten their day.
If you or someone else you know ever starts
feeling loneliness in the worst way, breathe. Realize that often it’s a
temporary phase that can be resolved by leaning on old connections or creating
new ones. Of course, dealing with loneliness is a personal process. Take your
time.
There is no shame in feeling lonely. However,
we should remember to do our best to avoid the type of loneliness that affects
physical and mental health because there is so much more life to live.
Connect, Communicate, and
Collaborate. That is the 3C way!
Thanks for reading,
~Katheryn
Note: This article is a summary and review of a piece done by Freakonomics Podcast. The source can be found here: https://freakonomics.com/podcast/loneliness/.