Social Media related questions

S

Sea Blue

New member
Hello, I would really appreciate if you could take some time to answer the questions below to help with a university project :) Thank you!
  • What are some of your favourite social media platforms/apps?
  • How important is social media to you for your social life/ maintaining a support system?
Not at all
Slightly Important
Important
Fairly Important
No opinion


  • What are some of the issues you face with social media?
  • Do you find it easy to understand and engage with new social media trends eg. tiktok dances/ specific references in the comments/ memes etc. ? Please explain in much detail as possible.
  • Would you find it helpful if there was an app to explain current social media trends? If yes, why and what features would you like the app to contain. If no, why not and why would this app not work out? Please explain in much detail as possible. *
  • Does too much screentime impact you negatively?
  • If your answer to the above question was yes, what are some of the methods/physical items/apps etc. you use or would like to try to reduce your time on a phone/laptop etc.

  • Would you find it helpful if there was a physical item that would help you to move away/ divert your attention from a screen to another activity/place? Please answer yes or no and explain in much detail as possible.
 
You'll notice this is a distinct forum. That's because few of us have a true presence on The Troll Farm, otherwise known as AntiSocial Media. We're not protected as required by the Equality Act, indeed my own presence on Linked In was Linked Out by their mods as I wasn't in the employment market, and they didn't consider me a human being.
The same thing comes up time after time, "You're weird." "Yes, it's politely termed NeuroDiverse." "Clear off, freak!" Much the same as in the general community, there's always some thug on patrol. Best avoided. We're not in society, so why should we be in social media? Because we're human and "all in it together"? What a joke. I was outcast aged 9, and have never found a way back, so sixty years of experience confirms that NeuroDiversity may include a community of injured souls who will not under any circumstances buy into the Government's Social Prescribing initiative. We survived perfectly well before computers came along, and are not addicted to the surreal world of Games the younger generation suffer from. Quite apart from anything else, I'm officially a Weirdo and Misfit, per HMG Cabinet Office.
To be more specific in my own case, I've a certain presence on YouTube, and have found slightly more community on the Reddit Gifted stream than here: Margot tells me they intend opening the forum out from it's current emphasis on ASD, as ADHD is also a huge community and other groups should have space soon too. The issue is that ND is "anything not NT" which is an open basket. In my case, I've argued probably to the point of excess that the diagnostic criteria are so full of holes, thanks to Dabrowsky, and I don't want to cause more harm than good to those who truly are on the spectrum. In my case, the devastating realisation came when I realised that the shrinks diagnosing me hadn't taken the reality specialists in my fields had no difficulty into account, so the communications failure was theirs, not mine. Likewise with obsessive behaviour, so after one of my major referees moved to Head Yale's new Genius School, I was able to demonstrate how one of my own specialities which places me at post-doctoral level alongside The Warburg Institute, London Univerity's Advanced Studies School, fully meets his criteria, I probably am a genius, and am diagnosed gifted. The problem there is that the shrinks use the term as a synonym for precocious/prodigy, rather than those with a praeternatural skillset.
What helps? Having a pair of legs and some self-discipline. No, data harvesters, you may NOT build a profile of me, the better to push my buttons and exploit me.
 
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Rahere said:
You'll notice this is a distinct forum. That's because few of us have a true presence on The Troll Farm, otherwise known as AntiSocial Media. We're not protected as required by the Equality Act, indeed my own presence on Linked In was Linked Out by their mods as I wasn't in the employment market, and they didn't consider me a human being.
The same thing comes up time after time, "You're weird." "Yes, it's politely termed NeuroDiverse." "Clear off, freak!" Much the same as in the general community, there's always some thug on patrol. Best avoided. We're not in society, so why should we be in social media? Because we're human and "all in it together"? What a joke. I was outcast aged 9, and have never found a way back, so sixty years of experience confirms that NeuroDiversity may include a community of injured souls who will not under any circumstances buy into the Government's Social Prescribing initiative. We survived perfectly well before computers came along, and are not addicted to the surreal world of Games the younger generation suffer from. Quite apart from anything else, I'm officially a Weirdo and Misfit, per HMG Cabinet Office.
To be more specific in my own case, I've a certain presence on YouTube, and have found slightly more community on the Reddit Gifted stream than here: Margot tells me they intend opening the forum out from it's current emphasis on ASD, as ADHD is also a huge community and other groups should have space soon too. The issue is that ND is "anything not NT" which is an open basket. In my case, I've argued probably to the point of excess that the diagnostic criteria are so full of holes, thanks to Dabrowsky, and I don't want to cause more harm than good to those who truly are on the spectrum. In my case, the devastating realisation came when I realised that the shrinks diagnosing me hadn't taken the reality specialists in my fields had no difficulty into account, so the communications failure was theirs, not mine. Likewise with obsessive behaviour, so after one of my major referees moved to Head Yale's new Genius School, I was able to demonstrate how one of my own specialities which places me at post-doctoral level alongside The Warburg Institute, London Univerity's Advanced Studies School, fully meets his criteria, I probably am a genius, and am diagnosed gifted. The problem there is that the shrinks use the term as a synonym for precocious/prodigy, rather than those with a praeternatural skillset.
What helps? Having a pair of legs and some self-discipline. No, data harvesters, you may NOT build a profile of me, the better to push my buttons and exploit me.
Click to expand...

Hello :) Thank you so much for your reply! Just to confirm I am not a data harvester (at least hopefully not in the sense mentioned here) but this is just to help me, a neurotypical individual, understand the perspective of someone with a neurodiverse brain using social media to help narrow down my focus on a project involving science and innovation, rather than making assumptions on my own of what I think people will need. I really appreciate the time you've taken to share your experience and opinion, you have given me lots of points I can now look into more and learn about.
 
You may still not get the point. Senator John Kennedy's recent roasting of Mark Zuckerberg drove it home exquisitely. Facebook builds community by focusing viewpoints, we have to expand ours. It's your qualification, "using social media" which is impossible. That's the last place to look, as it's guaranteed to be superficial, biased, and wrong.
 
Favorite social media platforms/apps

I enjoy using Instagram, Twitter (now called X), and Reddit. I also find TikTok to be pretty entertaining for short, creative videos.

How important is social media for your social life/support system?

I’d say it’s Fairly Important. Social media helps me stay connected with friends and family, especially those who live far away. It also allows me to join different communities for advice and support on shared interests.

Issues faced with social media

A major issue is information overload. Sometimes there’s too much content, which makes it overwhelming. Also, some platforms can have negativity, which affects mental well-being. Lastly, it’s easy to lose track of time while scrolling.

Ease of understanding and engaging with new social media trends

It’s not always easy to keep up with trends, especially on platforms like TikTok, where trends change very quickly. While I can understand some, certain inside jokes or meme references might fly over my head if I haven’t been following that specific trend from the beginning.

Would it be helpful to have an app to explain social media trends?

Yes, I think such an app could be very helpful, especially for those who feel out of the loop. It could provide explanations of trends, memes, and cultural references. I would love to see features like trending videos, their origins, and explanations of slang/inside jokes. It could also include a section for context on viral challenges and safe practices if a trend involves something risky.

Does too much screentime impact you negatively?

Yes, too much screentime affects me negatively. It can cause eye strain, make it hard to focus on other tasks, and sometimes disrupt my sleep.

Methods used to reduce screentime

I try to set screen-time limits on my phone and take frequent breaks to avoid staying on the screen for too long. I’ve also tried apps like Forest, which encourages you to stay off your phone by "growing" a tree while you focus. Physical items like timers or even just taking a walk outside also help.

Would a physical item help divert attention from a screen?

Yes, I think a physical item that reminds or encourages me to step away from the screen could be helpful. For example, a smart device that prompts you to take a break or suggests alternative activities like reading or exercising could be very effective. Even something as simple as a light that changes color after a certain amount of screen time could work well.

Hope this helps with your project! Let me know if you need further details.
 
Sea Blue said:
Hello, I would really appreciate if you could take some time to answer the questions below to help with a university project :) Thank you!
  • What are some of your favourite social media platforms/apps?
  • How important is social media to you for your social life/ maintaining a support system?
Not at all
Slightly Important
Important
Fairly Important
No opinion


  • What are some of the issues you face with social media?
  • Do you find it easy to understand and engage with new social media trends eg. tiktok dances/ specific references in the comments/ memes etc. ? Please explain in much detail as possible.
  • Would you find it helpful if there was an app to explain current social media trends? If yes, why and what features would you like the app to contain. If no, why not and why would this app not work out? Please explain in much detail as possible. *
  • Does too much screentime impact you negatively?
  • If your answer to the above question was yes, what are some of the methods/physical items/apps etc. you use or would like to try to reduce your time on a phone/laptop etc.

  • Would you find it helpful if there was a physical item that would help you to move away/ divert your attention from a screen to another activity/place? Please answer yes or no and explain in much detail as possible.
Click to expand...
i use linkedin and others but to me personally they mean little to me but for business purposes a va does everything except linkedin. important because i run a nonprofit for mental health support groups on zoom. issues with social media-normal stuff sexual harassment constantly 24/7 esp, instagram!!! i will answer more questions if you fillout a contact form on my website www,mentalhealthsupportgroups.org i am on the computer alot but not here a lot









Rahere said:
You'll notice this is a distinct forum. That's because few of us have a true presence on The Troll Farm, otherwise known as AntiSocial Media. We're not protected as required by the Equality Act, indeed my own presence on Linked In was Linked Out by their mods as I wasn't in the employment market, and they didn't consider me a human being.
The same thing comes up time after time, "You're weird." "Yes, it's politely termed NeuroDiverse." "Clear off, freak!" Much the same as in the general community, there's always some thug on patrol. Best avoided. We're not in society, so why should we be in social media? Because we're human and "all in it together"? What a joke. I was outcast aged 9, and have never found a way back, so sixty years of experience confirms that NeuroDiversity may include a community of injured souls who will not under any circumstances buy into the Government's Social Prescribing initiative. We survived perfectly well before computers came along, and are not addicted to the surreal world of Games the younger generation suffer from. Quite apart from anything else, I'm officially a Weirdo and Misfit, per HMG Cabinet Office.
To be more specific in my own case, I've a certain presence on YouTube, and have found slightly more community on the Reddit Gifted stream than here: Margot tells me they intend opening the forum out from it's current emphasis on ASD, as ADHD is also a huge community and other groups should have space soon too. The issue is that ND is "anything not NT" which is an open basket. In my case, I've argued probably to the point of excess that the diagnostic criteria are so full of holes, thanks to Dabrowsky, and I don't want to cause more harm than good to those who truly are on the spectrum. In my case, the devastating realisation came when I realised that the shrinks diagnosing me hadn't taken the reality specialists in my fields had no difficulty into account, so the communications failure was theirs, not mine. Likewise with obsessive behaviour, so after one of my major referees moved to Head Yale's new Genius School, I was able to demonstrate how one of my own specialities which places me at post-doctoral level alongside The Warburg Institute, London Univerity's Advanced Studies School, fully meets his criteria, I probably am a genius, and am diagnosed gifted. The problem there is that the shrinks use the term as a synonym for precocious/prodigy, rather than those with a praeternatural skillset.
What helps? Having a pair of legs and some self-discipline. No, data harvesters, you may NOT build a profile of me, the better to push my buttons and exploit me.
Click to expand...
 
i use linkedin and others but to me personally they mean little to me but for business purposes a va does everything except linkedin. important because i run a nonprofit for mental health support groups on zoom. issues with social media-normal stuff sexual harassment constantly 24/7 esp, instagram!!! i will answer more questions if you fillout a contact form on my website www.mentalhealthsupportgroups.org i am on the computer alot but not here a lot
 
I’ve been using face2social to see where my profile pictures show up across platforms, which helps me catch misuse quickly and feel more in control. It’s straightforward and works within seconds. Might help with the trust and safety issues Rahere and LORELEI_MOLINARI_67 brought up.
 
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Sea Blue said:
Hello :) Thank you so much for your reply! Just to confirm I am not a data harvester (at least hopefully not in the sense mentioned here) but this is just to help me, a neurotypical individual, understand the perspective of someone with a neurodiverse brain using social media to help narrow down my focus on a project involving science and innovation, rather than making assumptions on my own of what I think people will need. I really appreciate the time you've taken to share your experience and opinion, you have given me lots of points I can now look into more and learn about.
Click to expand...
What sort of research? What's the project? Benefitting who or what? Is there ethical approval? What will be done with the answers we give?