Interview: Social media distraction a decision made for us - digital analyst

CAIRO – 6 November 2018: With a great deal of experience in exploring how technology trends affect businesses and industries, Brian Solis was excited to share his views on the impact of social media on behavior and mental health at the World Youth Forum held in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The forum, in its second edition, has dedicated several sessions to discuss the negative impact of social networking websites on people’s social lives, spreading fake news and posing a burden on intelligence bodies.

In the below lines, Egypt Today interviews digital analyst Brian Solis:

ET: Would you tell us about your background and what you do?

Solis: I’m a digital analyst and futurist at Altimeter, a group of leading thinkers who study disruptive technology and its impact on businesses and industries.

I’m also a digital anthropologist who studies how disruptive technology is impacting society, behaviors, norms, values and cultures. I’ve been helping to create the field of digital anthropology for over 11 years and have studied technology for over 20 years.

ET: Did you hear about WYF before your participation?

Solis: I have friends who presented at previous events and they absolutely fell in love with Egypt, the people and the great connections they made at the event. The mission of empowering Egyptian and global youth is important.



Digital Analyst Brian Solis in a talk about negative effects of social media on social lives during at WYF in Sharm el-Sheikh - Courtesty of Solis's Twitter account


ET: What opportunities the WYF gave you?

Solis: I was excited this year when I was invited to share my research with the audience, specifically, how to understand the effects of technology on our minds, bodies and spirit. I also aimed to share how technology is taking too much control of our lives, by choice.

ET: How is social media enslaving more than saving us?

Solis: We’re allowing ourselves to live online without realizing the extent to which our abilities to learn, create, and think are being debilitated. We’re multi-tasking falsely believing that we’re accomplishing more, when we’re actually producing less and at compromised quality. More so, technology is making us more anxious, our self-confidence is plummeting, and our ability to empathize is becoming shallower. The problem is that we don’t realize it. We have to start by realizing that we have to fix our relationship with technology and make it more productive than destructive.

ET: Did you have expectations for your participation in the forum?

Solis: The World Youth Forum represented an important platform for me to reach younger audiences to test this new research. I’m writing a book on the subject and it will be out next year. I can say that the message for the book was tested at WYF! More importantly, the connections that I’ve already made here have been incredible. I’ve made friends for life and I hope that this isn’t my last visit to the event.

My first ever Egyptian sunset.
We are all blessed in ways that we take for granted. In my travels, I see things that humble me. It’s easy to get caught up in the little things, but they don’t really matter as much as we believe. Live each day like it matters.#saturdaymotivation pic.twitter.com/hjdh2Dum51

— Brian Solis (@briansolis) November 3, 2018

ET: Many speakers discussed social media challenges at WYF; why do you think this is important?

Solis: Social media distraction and information overload was a decision that was made for us. We weren’t given the truth or full disclosure of the design techniques that went into these devices and apps. We weren’t told that by using our favorite services that we were rewiring our brains and emotions to suit developers and advertisers. We weren’t informed that we were trading critical thinking, imagination and curiosity for the vanity of likes, followers and superficial engagement.

ET: In your opinion, how can youth live better lives amid social media distraction?

Solis: Everything begins with learning what we don’t know. There are many reasons why we stare at our phones incessantly. The effects it's having on us are so profound; we don’t even see or realize them. We have to learn what really makes us happy and build from there. This isn’t easy.

ET: How do you evaluate youth representation in the forum?

Solis: The youth I met with at the event were motivated and inspired. I met people from all over the world. I believe that the focus on Egypt, the impact on youth and their future and also to inspire our youth around the world should always be a priority.

ET: How is your first visit to Egypt different from what you heard about the country?

Solis: This is my first time to Egypt and I flew to Sharm el-Sheikh. I’ve not yet had a chance to explore other parts of the country, but I would love to one day. I heard from all of my friends, family and colleagues who have been to Egypt that it’s a wonderful and friendly country, rich with history, culture and amazing scenery and food! So far, that’s been my experience and I very much wish to visit other cities and places.