I have heard of giving up candy, pop, and TV for Lent but never this. But for some individuals, as they approach Easter, giving up Internet sites like Facebook and MySpace is not uncommon.
"It's been hard, especially in the beginning," said Kerry Graham, who reports that she quit using Facebook during Lent.
Implications - Social networking sites have reached record adoption levels, which has caused a bit of a cultural backlash as addicted users curb their time spent online. A renewed focus on honored traditions such as religious practices offers a convenient excuse for social media users to sacrifice time spent online and emphasize offline interactions, even if only on a temporary basis.
Religious Customs Before Social Life
Students Give Up MySpace and Facebook for Lent
Trend Themes
1. Renewed Focus on Honored Traditions - This trend emphasizes the need to prioritize tradition and values over modern technological advances, creating opportunities for disruptors to explore new ways to bridge the gap between old and new.
2. Cultural Backlash Against Social Media Addiction - As more people become aware of the negative effects of social media addiction, there is an opportunity for businesses to create innovative products or solutions that counteract this trend.
3. Balancing Offline and Online Interactions - An increase in awareness of the need for balance between offline and online activities presents opportunities for companies to create products or services that help users maintain that balance.
Industry Implications
1. Religion - Religious organizations can leverage the renewed focus on traditions to reach out to younger generations in innovative and engaging ways.
2. Technology - Tech companies can create products or features that encourage users to disconnect from social media platforms and engage in offline activities.
3. Wellness - The trend towards balancing offline and online activities presents opportunities for wellness companies to create products or services that promote mindfulness and self-care.