26-26. To Scroll or NOT to Scroll

Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from June 30th

In today’s world, it is incredibly easy to pick up a phone and begin scrolling. One post leads to another, a video catches your attention, and before you know it, hours have passed. Social media can be informative, inspiring, entertaining, and even uplifting. It can introduce us to new ideas, make us laugh, and connect us with people and opportunities. Yet, like anything else in life, it is best enjoyed in moderation.

Social media is not our identity. We bring our identity to it. We share our wisdom, our knowledge, our joys, our concerns, our businesses, our books, our podcasts, and our passions. It is a platform, a tool, and a resource—but it should never become the center of our lives. The danger comes when scrolling begins to consume time that could be spent on more meaningful pursuits, leaving us disconnected from ourselves and the people around us.

The key is balance. Just as we enjoy a glass of wine without drinking to excess, or a piece of chocolate without eating an entire box, we must learn to use technology without allowing it to take over. Every area of life deserves attention: work, family, health, well-being, friendships, recreation, and rest. Social media can have a place among those things, but it should not replace them.

For those with ADHD or highly active minds, scrolling can be especially seductive. What starts as a quick look can quickly become a three-hour rabbit hole. While the content may be interesting, informative, or entertaining, it is important to ask whether it deserves that much of our time. Creating boundaries, setting timers, and being intentional about when and how we engage with social media can help us remain in control rather than becoming controlled by it.

One of the saddest sights today is seeing people sitting together at a meal while staring at their phones instead of talking to each other. Technology is meant to connect us, yet it can often separate us. Meals, conversations, family gatherings, and moments with friends should be opportunities for presence and connection. A phone should never replace genuine interaction with the people sitting right in front of us.

Equally important is making time for ourselves. We live in a world overloaded with information, often leaving us mentally exhausted and overstimulated. We need moments to pause, reflect, and absorb what we have learned. Music can be restorative. Nature can be healing. A walk by the ocean, through the woods, or simply sitting quietly and listening to the sounds around us can bring us back to center. Nature speaks to the heart, soul, and spirit in ways that technology never can.

Technology itself is not the problem. In fact, it offers tremendous benefits. Podcasts, educational content, online communities, and even AI can be valuable tools. AI, for example, can serve as an excellent assistant—helping organize thoughts, correcting mistakes, brainstorming ideas, and providing information. However, it should remain an assistant, not a replacement for our creativity, intuition, or personal responsibility. Technology should support our lives, not run them.

The real question is not whether we should scroll, but whether we are doing so consciously. Are we taking care of our own well-being first? Are we nurturing our relationships? Are we spending quality time with family and friends? Are we engaged in work that fulfills us? Are we making space for rest, reflection, and personal growth? When those priorities are being honored, then there is certainly room for some scrolling and entertainment.

Children deserve special consideration. Phones and tablets should not become substitutes for interaction, creativity, or play. Young minds are still developing, and excessive screen time can influence attention, behavior, and emotional well-being. Parents must remain vigilant, guiding children toward healthy technology habits while ensuring their safety in an increasingly digital world.

Ultimately, moderation remains the answer. Social media is not your identity. Your phone is not your life. These tools can enrich your experience when used wisely, but they should never replace real living. Put the phone down when sharing a meal. Step away from the screen before bedtime. Spend time in nature. Breathe deeply. Connect with people. Be present in your own life.

So, to scroll or not to scroll? Scroll when it serves you. Learn when to stop. Be mindful of your time. Use common sense. And most importantly, remember that you are always in charge of where your attention goes. Your life is too valuable to spend it endlessly scrolling past.

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