Help! How do I detox from Instagram? #AskAvery
Meet Avery. She has 8 years experience as a comedian and 7 years experience as a teenager—and she is here to A your toughest Qs about comedy, family, romance, school, and the meaning of life (maybe). Got a problem you can’t solve or a goal you need help meeting? Ask Avery by DMing @GOLDComedy or emailing info+askavery@gmail.com.
Dear Avery,
I love posting on Instagram. Everything from pics of my food to thirst traps. But sometimes I get scared about my internet footprint. I mean, will my kids be seeing my ass pics one day, or judge my cringy TikToks? How do I have social media and still keep a private life?
Your Friend,
Digital Detox
Dear DD,
I remember when Instagram was a new app in the App Store. I didn’t even ask my parents’ permission (which I would have to do later for all other social apps). Started posting everything: selfies with the duckface, my high scores on Doodle Jump, “like this post or Instagram will take your account down.” I’ve had an Instagram for 11 YEARS. God, I’m ancient.
11 years of social media means my digital footprint is a size 11, which is my shoe size IRL too. Obviously I was always meant to be a clown. But anyway, sometimes I get freaked out too. Our parents only had photographs of their mistakes, if they even had documentation, that could easily be swept under the rug. Now not only are our most embarrassing moments documented, but millions of people could witness them. I’m cringing just thinking about it.
However, I’m not one of those millennials, in fact, I’m Gen Z, who thinks social media is bad. Many comics get careers off of one viral video. An unknown who wants to be known can become known in ways that would never be possible before. I can watch videos of people falling off crates. It all depends on how we choose to use it. I think it is helping my career, in a way. People have “found me” off my online presence. A guy even came to one of my open mics to try stand up for the first time because he saw me on Tinder. I lost interest after his Seinfeld impression but that’s far from the point.
But there are things I intentionally keep offline. I don’t take social media seriously, and love shitposting, as the kids call it. I used to not upload a photo of myself until I had the approval of at least five friends and one notary public. Now I don’t stress as much. Instagram can either be someone’s whole career or just a way to connect with a few friends. But if it becomes overwhelming and takes up too much space in your brain, take a detox. That last line was sponsored by my mom.
Love,
Avery