Social Media is Ruining Your Life 

Check out Vessi styles at www.vessi.com/cypherden. Use code CYPHERDEN for 15% off your order. Free shipping for CA, US, AU, JP, TW, KR, SGP. Ohiyooo! I'm back again finally. u_u!

Gotta love Cypher casually returning after 4 months, she is more consistent than 50% of US marriages

Wow I didn't realize how much your animation style changed.

This is so relatable. I use to be so addicted to Twitter and constantly thinking about how many followers/friends I can gain, what’s trending, and how many likes I can get on certain posts to make me feel happy. It’s been about 1 month and a half since I’ve been active on twitter and my self esteem has improved plus I’ve gained 4 irl friends.

I know a lot of people probably wont like hearing this video, but you made great points. I am guilty of spending way too much time online, and slowly letting the toxicity of the internet consume me. My attention span is horrible, so I think I too need to get off social media more. I would rather be having a happier life, living my own life to my best, than just not knowing an internet meme that will go away in two months tops.

Damn, it's feels like it's been 1000 years since we last we heard of you

I logged off of twitter recently primarily to avoid potential spoilers for the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and it has actually made me feel better mentally and I’m more encouraged to do other things more often. I still need to get my fat ass off the couch but I’m working on it.

I quit social media once. What I found was... I no longer had "real friends." I tried to reach out to the few local people who I had maintained tenuous contact with entirely through social media, but nobody was interested in physically meeting up or making phone calls anymore. Nobody let me know about important things happening in their life, because they assumed that once they shared it on social media, everyone who needed to know about it already knew. My entire social life was online. I was SO. LONELY. I tried making new friends, but I live in an area affected by the Seattle Freeze; if you don't know, that's a regional social phenomenon where basically adults never ever make new friends. So I went back online, and I don't regret it.

Social media is so toxic these days I honestly don’t blame you for quitting but don’t quiet RU-vid you have so much talent ❤😊

so crazy how social media makes us become so insecure about a lot of things that didn't even matter to us 5-10 years ago

i haven't deleted my socials and i have no plans to, but i did stop consuming political content recently. i used to be the type of person to constantly be up to date on all the breaking news and literally everything politics, i felt like if i wasn't up to date on everything all the time that i was missing vital information and was a bad/uneducated person because of it. i realized that not only were those things not true, but also that keeping a news feed glued to my eyeballs 24/7 was causing me to fall back into depression and worsening my anxiety. i felt hopeless and trapped, like life wasn't even worth living. i came to the realization one day that i didn't NEED to look at these things at all, and it was all just a warped mindset i had developed for myself. it wasn't super easy, but i did it, i stopped engaging with political content online and it was the best decision i've made in a long time! not only am i much happier than before, but i've also been able to use my time to engage with my other interests that bring me so much more joy! now instead of feeling hopelessly depressed because of politics, i've been vibing by playing Animal Crossing and watching Scooby-Doo. now don't get me wrong, i still plan on voting and such in the future; when i say that i don't engage with politics anymore, i mean political commentary and online discourse. voting is important, but driving yourself to becoming depressed and installing a news feed in your brain is not.

As a social medi-atheist myslef. I respect the decision Den, I respect ✊

Man, you finally touched grass... Great job!

Ironically I just uninstalled all my social media apps so this video is perfect for me.

I've deleted all social media on my phone for about half a year now, I'm only allowing myself to watch youtube for an hour every day on the website version instead of the app. My attention span is a lot better, I'm feeling a lot better and I'm overall more 'living in the moment'. Would recommend to everyone.

This made me realize how much different my experience with social media is from everyone else's. I started social media (outside of RU-vid) with Amino in... 2017, I think ? On there, I started a few of my first creative projects and it was awesome, I made a bunch of awesome online friends I'm still in contact with to this day. Over the years I joined other social media either out of curiosity, to stay in contact with people who left Amino because it sucks now, or because school made me. But now I'm inactive on Amino since my tablet is old and the app isn't compatible with it anymore, and not only the app isn't great now, but the site is worse. And since then I haven't been active on online communities at all. No matter the social media, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr... I rarely post or even look at posts. The only social media I'm active on nowadays is Discord, and I spend most of my time on it speaking to the friends I made all these years ago that I mentioned earlier. As for RU-vid, I'm obviously a lot more active on there, and I even post more too. I'm trying to show my creativity but even the people who subscribed don't seem to care that much about my writing. So as you said, being on there affected my self esteem in a bad way. I just want to do what I love but I apparently I'm not good enough. My creations aren't good enough. But right now I'm fine, I don't feel like that. And personally, I'd rather watch longer videos that required work and research than shorts, so I suppose I have a longer attention span. As for TikTok and Facebook, I just don't have them. TikTok isn't exactly known for having the most interesting and relevant content out there. And the only reason I have Twitter is to upload images and videos from my Switch on there and then go on it with my tablet to download and use them for my content. My lack of presence on social media isn't great to advertise my content, but I can't convince myself to post regularly again due to how high my anxiety and lack of self esteem have gotten since then because of how much my life sucks right now... Now that I wrote all of this, I realize it's an even more complicated situation than I thought it was.

actually, I can relate. What you said about the attention span is what I'm struggling with right now. As a youtuber who wants to make more videos in order to get audience I always forget what spending 1 straight hour on one activity without being disturbed with a new message or without taking a "food break"

When people ask me why I don't have TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Telegram and I keep my Twitter in private, I'll send this video. Also I like how you explained EVERYTHING. Do you know what? I'm sharing it! I know a couple of teachers that can use it as a resource (and I'm also a teacher).

I agree with the amount of the time we consume social media, including if we are not socializing and utilizing these platforms to improve our lives. That is why I balance my time with my internet usage by following mostly artists and news accounts, while also doing brain training games on my smartphone. I am also reading more books at least an hour a day and change my routine so I am not glued to a computer or phone.

Even if you try to return to social media or delete social media, there are still online versions and websites where you can access social media so technically, it is hard to actually stay away from social media

“You don’t even know what you’re missing out on” that hit hard. I keep going on social media thinking I’ll get SOMETHING, but I don’t know what. And you’re right, you CANT get time back, and I think I’ve lost so much time from social media. Thanks for this, Den. :)

I quit social media too and it was the best choice I've made. Now, I do get on RU-vid but only to catch up on my favorite RU-vidrs and that's about it. The only other reason I use my phone is for my best friend who is long distance. I checked my phone and I've only been on here for an hour. (Btw this is only after a week of having a phone. I literally have my phone away.) Ive been free for 3-4 months. I actually got a phone to message my friend and cause I do need one cause I'm home alone and need some 911 thing as my mom says. I also have started reading so much and I've read over 9 books within a few months and that was my new years goal. I've accomplished a lot this year and I'm much happier.

I more or less quit social media 4-5 years ago - I dabbled a little in Insta, but nothing hooked me. I also just read news articles instead of having it served in a bite-sized video or meme format, so I actually retain at least *some* information.

I get what you mean. I like using social media but somedays I reflect and I think, when did I let it take so much of my soul? It does feel good to unplug sometimes I am definitely working on it. I am personally more into the art community and seeing all sorts of awesome drawing talent but, I do get into sucked into random vids/posts. The good, the funny, and the sad. Oof.

This year I lost my Instagram account. It wasn't so much losing it than losing the memories I have gathered since 2015. That's from being on and off meds, my Edgar Allan Poe phase, coming out bisexual, pandemic and getting into origami. Social media at least is such a great directory of memories Message sponsored by Conan Gray: memories

this is why I avoid using social media (outside of youtube at specific times, and recently reddit STRICTLY to ask questions I can't find anywhere else). I am 20, never liked the idea of social media, and I avoided it at all costs. best decision I have ever made.

I left social media since like October last year. I became a lot of more productive in the other things that I do in my life and it feels more chill to just do what I like to do .

I love this!! I deleted tik tok in February because i felt like it was very negative and putting a lot of negative things in my head. Not a lot of people feel the same way but I’m glad I noticed it. I’m not strong enough to get rid of all my social media yet but maybe I’ll get there one day. I’m so happy that you are doing better since deleting social media! And I’m in awe because i understand it was definitely hard love ya Den!!

I deleted all my social media 6-ish months ago and I genuinely have no desire to go back. Way happier and less anxious.

I'm literally having this problem. I think I've used media to distract myself from my anxiety and depression. It's really messed up my concentration. Trying to improve that, but it's a struggle. Thank you for sharing. It's nice to know others are in the same boat. Makes me feel less alone.

Good for you on quitting Social Media. Keep it up! I left just about everything except RU-vid, and even then I am trying my best to post much less. I have seen a significant improvement in my life.

Gotta say, I quit social media for 3 reasons: 1) Toxic people on Tumblr; not only that, but I began to feel sick whenever I would scroll through it. 2) Account deactivation BS: I tried to log into my FB account only to learn it was taken down bc I "violated the guidelines" (despite I hadn't posted anything in months and just used it to chat with my bf on Messenger) -Tried making a Twitter account, only to get locked out *while I was in the middle of creating my profile!* 3) Reddit said I had to have a Twitter/Apple+ account to post anything. Finally decided I really have no need for it, and decided to leave it behind.

"Cant even do a three step task." Erm, I have inattentive ADHD. You just described my life, except with me I either never started the task in the first place. Or I failed at step one!

I am immune to FOMO because I've never had social media.

Ive been limiting myself on social media as well, and hard agree. It's been much easier to get regular housework and day-to-day chores done. Haven't had this much motivation in a literal decade.

I love your art style so much!

this actually was really helpful and motivating, ive been trying to do similar things myself but I found it very hard and ended up getting back into my normal social media routine. i will legit put on youtube with every single task i do and sometimes get headaches from just taking my eyes off my phone. this has really motivated me to try limiting my interaction with social media. Thanky you Den :D

I get it, I really do! I've cut down on social media a little bit, but I don't want to cut it out completely because I use it to encourage athletes (most, but not all go to my favorite college). I also use social media in other positive ways. But I don't spend all weekend on my computer like I used to. I go for at least one walk, and I have a few other projects I'm working on.

AGREE 100% Sometimes i don´t understand how is that i don´t have time for anything. Being on social media and playing short games just consumes a lot of time.

You can see the amount of detail and thought behind the production side alone. Great video Den.

I mostly use Twitter for viewing art nowadays, but I still catch myself reading on controversies that people are probably gonna forget after a few weeks. I'm starting to remember why it took me 2.5 years to finally make a Twitter account. Also I really love this new animation style, Den with a fang is really cute!

Good on you den, unplugging from social media seems like it was hard but you did it, I don't think I'd really want to since my attention span before I even had a phone was bad so my phone helps keep me busy and distracted but I still get my work done, I'll still sit down and read a book I read a lot actually and sometimes I read webcomics, social media isn't all that bad but yeah being stuck on it a lot isn't good, I'll probably just try to not be on my phone as much as usual. Good to have you back Den

Den I love your new art style(or like what your character looks now days since I have seen taht almost every year you change your art style which I like)

I feel like since I got rid of all (but 1) of my social media accounts, I’ve gotten so much more stuff done on more days of the week. Your experience is a lot like what I read in Catherine Price’s How to Break Up With Your Phone; she even remarks how social media rewards you like a casino slot machine where you want more satisfaction; and that journaling helps. Other tips I’d add is to delete your social media apps, and use your internet browser so you have “to work for it.” And, moving fun apps (even the internet browser) to a page besides your home page. Great job Den! Keep it up!

It's been a good while since I've watched one of your vids but then I'm presented with a new art style that just slaps? Talk about a good day to get back to your channel! On the topic of social media, I've always been of the low profile type, and even like that I notice how unstable my attention span is. Been trying to reduce my screen time, but because of work and college it's been difficult. Won't stop trying though!

this helped me alot, i struggle with trying to take a break from social media, i love you cypher

Well, I’m glad that taking a break from social media has helped you a lot. It’s some thing I should probably try. Love the video.

I find it so interesting that tiktok and reels has become the new WebMD but for mental health disorders and neurodivergence. i see a shocking amount of reels saying stuff like 5 signs that you're ADHD, and its stuff that every person does. they don't acknowledge the actual reason why people with certain disorders struggle with those things or how it isn't something funny and quirky. it makes everyone think they have some kind of trauma or mental disorder because they relate to these very normal things that are being typecast as neurodivergent or PTSD or whatever.

I really enjoyed this video. It was informative and taught me a lot about what social media can do to the human mind. I really want to quit it altogether and focus more on being present and in the moment. I have nothing to gain really from being on there. When you brought up the topic of time and how precious it is, it really resonated with me. We only get one family, and we should love while we still can. Thank you so much for making this video. Until next time, keep up the good work, and remember to always make time for yourself.

This is very interesting! I think i’m gonna give it a go as well! And good job on keepin a distance from social media for 30 days!🎉

8:57 that baby hippo is so cute

i’m kinda terrified knowing that i spend on average 5 months a year just on my phone, what the hell am i doing with my life

My experience with toxic drama in social media pretty much led me to step away for a while. My original plan was to take a year-long break only for me to be away from social media for nearly three years, only going back to check once every couple of months for friends n family.

It really sucks because I stay off my phone and iPad for a lot of the day, but my parents and brother are on their iPads and phones all the time watching TV. For example, when I ate dinner last night at the dinner table, all of my family were on their iPads watching TV except for me I was just staring at the wall. it’s pretty sad. Because of this I stay in my room all day (except for when I get food) because what’s the point of even going downstairs when my family isn’t even going to interact with me?

Its easy. Tried it twice. After around month for me- all the urges disapear. Problem with me not using phone tho: is either i get into books ( which is basically just as addicting as phone) but if i dont have paper back books rn, only other thing i can do is sleep, so no thank you, dont wanna become depressed, not contacting friends and atleast watching SOMETHING rather than sleeping out my days.

I used to be big into doomscrolling and being on social media for more than ten hours a day. And that was when I was in school, too! It got worse when I was pulled out. I genuinely got away from social media two years ago. I still have Discord, but I consider it more of a messaging app since I don't join any servers. Two years since then and my mental health has skyrocketed upwards. Social media is so toxic and draining, even if you manage to avoid the horrible things from it. Great video, Den.

Amazing video Ms. CypherDen, it is nice to take a break on social media, it does help regain yourself when doing it from time to time. I took a break on discord & RU-vid, it helped me to not be dependent on short term validation and gratitude. It made me focused more on myself will things that are more fulfilling and genuine in the long-term. 😊✨👍

The thing that has no value is always the short form content, You end up strolling and not remembered what you even watched.

Den I really like this content of you… essentially working on yourself! And idk if it’s the psychology of the parasocial relationship online but it feels much less… weird hearing it from a social media personality that I don’t know personally compare to hearing it from a friend. I guess it’s also the comparison is the thief of joy speaking to me as well. I compare myself with my friends but you’re like… an online person which helps. Tbh I’m gonna have to try one of these improvement challenges 😅

This is more turning into a chill Feel good Chanel with a hint of therapy and i love it ❤

You are absolutely right. It's really time consuming and often really just drags you down. I've got to admit I'm not the most social person either and as a writer social media is a great excuse (or not so much) to procrastinate my work but except for keeping contact with people I can't see often or watching content creators I've subscribed to (instead of checking on how to fix a hair comb and ending p wtaching a giraffe get dressed for a wedding). But there's really much more to see in the real world.

10:10 we don’t hate Velma for the art the animation is amazing, we hate it for the writing

Love how your artwork has evolved 😁

The only social media platform that I'm addicted to is RU-vid. It's gotten so bad to the point where I have to watch almost everything in 2x speed cause there's just so many videos to watch 😭

i deleted tiktok about a month ago cus i was on it way too much and it was killing my motivations to do anything else. it was really hard after deleting it but i was doing better. unfortunately i now keep finding myself on the RU-vid shorts but im not on them as long cus they don't grab my attention the same way tiktoks do.

I need to do this 😭 I am constantly on my phone and I cannot even imagine what my screen time will be during summer. Honestly I’m thinking when summer starts, I just be off of everything for 3 hours straight at FIRST. I’ll work my way up obviously cause yk you don’t want to push yourself too fast, but I want to get into the habit of just doing things I love without being on my phone 24/7. Imma keep this video in my mind to give me motivation, thanks den :)😊

Dear Denise, You never have to deal with social media if you don't want to! I don't like the toxicity of it either! You're nor the only one! No matter what happens, we hope that you would never give up and we always love your content so much! Keep up the marvelous work! Best, Sir Moony

Amazing video, inspired me to make some changes as well. Also you look fresh in those Vessis

I've been looking for the motivation to quit social media myself, and I think this really helped. Thank you.

I am someone who has grown up with the internet for most of my life and have grown attached to it to the point I made it a full time hobby and spend most of the day researching it ao I personally will never leave it.

your art has changed alot sine i last watched, i love it wow

Worth the 4 month wait, keep it up, CypherDen!

I really like the art style and humor in this video. I'm glad I got to see it today. I could have sworn I was subscribed to this channel already but somehow I wasn't. I went ahead and fixed that.

COUGH* I think I spend more time on social media then 7 hours 😭

That's so awesome! Proud of you. *opens twitter, staying caught in the vicious cycle*

I literally couldn't quit social media even if I wanted to. Not necessarily because of addiction but because all of my friends moved from my state to across the USA. Quitting social media would literally cut ties from my best friends that I've had for nearly a decade. That and I'm in a long distance relationship, I don't need my boo thinking I'm ignoring her on a daily basis. But honestly, I'm not even into social media. I watched RU-vid because my room never had cable, I use Discord for friends. That's it. Don't touch Twitter, never installed Instagram, I don't even bat an eye at all the cringe apps. I can safely say I'm not addicte- oh, what's that? I've been playing video games for 20 years? ... Well I guess I'm still addicted to my TV screen.

Den's art is always on point

This is super cool and relatable, and I also struggle with internet, and Attention spans, and time management.

Thank you for having made this video. I think the key is to get onto social medias that are better for your mental health. After 4673747338 failed attempts I finally grew to hate Instagram so much i quit it at the beginning of 2022. And i spent around half a year without ANY social media. My thoughts finally were mine again, my time finally was mine again, the content I usually create was finally mine again. It was all mine now, mine mine mine. I am a sucker for validation tho so at some point I joined Tumblr instead. Yes Tumblr isnt dead. I am on there for one year and i have almost 500 followers there now and i kick every possible bot. Tumblr has no dumb algorithm that is forced onto you, your followers all see your content reliably, you discover things the oldschool way and if you click onto one depressed post your feed doesnt look like you need therapy for the next few weeks. I am so much SO much happier on tumblr. And I love how slow my feed is. It doesnt force me to scroll 24/7 and waste my time - when i finished scrolling i finished. Maybe check some tags i follow and thats it. And then I go to Reddit and its the same game there. Reddit, Tumblr and RU-vid (as consumer)... i dont need more. I am satisfied. And feeling TONS better than before. And you know what? I don't even feel the need to go onto the toxic algorithm-driven social medias anymore :) (youtube is a grey zone somehow it doesnt really make me as addicted as Instagram did so it stays)

I got a wake up call this morning, already locked my socials, then I see this since I am trying to find some advice. Nice to know I might get something from someone I grew up a bit on.

I doubt this comment will be seen with the many others, but I would like to say good for you, CypherDen. I never started social media in the first place when they first started and have never regretted it. As I tell people "The less you have of that the happier you'll be.". I only have RU-vid to either listen to music playlists or videos like the new CypherDen video lol. Love the rad art style at the beginning of the video btw and I only have Discord to stay in touch with very dear and close friends, like recently me and dearest friend ended up watching Lackadaisy and had a fun time. Not bothering with social media is better for anyone's mental health because in the end it's meaningless, many years from now major of the things you see from there will never be remembered, and life is short and you're only guaranteed the present the in life, so enjoy it with your loved ones and go after the dreams you have. I guess I'll end this with advice a 103 or man I knew gave me 6 years ago I'll word best from what I recall "Don't spend so much time with your phone, there's plenty of beauty in the world to appreciate even in the smallest flower.". He also loved to four-wheel ride with his neighbors and friends and did so until he was 104 years old and almost made to his 106th birthday. Also, 7:09 Definitely me 🤣 and the The Wet sock Dimension is relatable at 1:17.

Damnnnn might as well start doing that tbh- I rlly need for my attention span to be higher than it is now, definitely going to start doing that now Thx!!! Ilysm best RU-vidr

You do have a point about the show thing which is why whenever I watch a show that I’ve never even heard of and that somewhat peaks my interest I will watch it and not look up anything about it (except for which order I should watch the episodes in and whether the show was canceled or not) and especially what the people think about them because I know how easy my opinion can be curved by what others think. This mentality has allowed me to actually enjoy shows like the legend of Korra, She-Ra, Voltron legendary defender, the dragon prince, Wakfu, the hollow, and many others, because even if they aren’t the best shows, even if they all have they have things about them I don’t like, I enjoy them for what they are and I have a feeling that if I were to have looked up how a lot of how fans felt about the shows my opinion would have changed drastically. And before you say she influenced my opinion, I have done this even before I watched this video.

Den, your video was fantastic. What I am about to say is true. I have NEVER downloaded Facebook, Twitter, or any of the "social media" on my phone. In fact, I went 2 years without even looking at Facebook on my PC. I am a believer that phones are for phone calls. I don't chat with random people who try to solicit me, in fact, I block them. I take this view of online strangers, in that they are all out to get me. Ding Ding Ding Train gates coming down, NOPE! Not falling for it, my answer is, If I don't know you, I don't speak to you online at all! There...SAFE! You hit it right on the head when you said that you don't need other people to validate you. So if I want to go to Walmart in my Yoda pants and someone doesn't like it, too bad! Leave Walmart 'cause I'm-not-going-to! I like me and it doesn't really matter to me if others don't. Too bad, too, they don't know what they're missing.

Den welcome back 😊😊

That ad transition was smooth 💯

I love this you motivated me to change my habits

The way I screamed when I saw the notification

hihi, cypher, what you have is JOMO - joy of missing out, that i really strive to achieve. it maybe also because i'm a young adult now and i'd like to think my priorities are set before me. still, i really agree with your cons on social media, considering that in my country, EVERYONE needs some sort of validation and a stamp proof of achievement posted on social media. i'm a bit guilty for still oversharing and feeling the need to stamp my existence, but day by day, i'm learning to just be random on social media then plug off to enjoy the other things. right now, i have facebook completely deleted from my app, i only have messenger for communication purposes. other than that, most of my time is just on fandom - fanfic reading or writing, or consuming media as i'm doing stuff like crocheting.

literally haven't used facebook or any social media apps except messenger for 5-6 years now Keep going!

I kinda want to quit TikTok because it keeps putting all the worlds issues right in front of my face all the time and I can't do anything about those issues, but at the same time looking away from those issues feels so selfish even if looking at them keeps making my mental health significantly worse

THIS ART STYLE IS ADORABLE 😁😁

I just realized I never actually watch shows, I just go on social media and watch people talk about shows. Reckon I should change that.

I CAME BACK AFTRER AGES AND YOUR STYLE CHANGED.

There is a quote I heard that pretty much summarizes what my relation with the internet is like "I don't know why im still watching, I just realized that I dont care"

Great video! What you said in this video is important. The outro is perfect lol also here before 300 comments!

I found you again. You were one of my favorite people on yt back in 2018-2019, but then I forgot about you lol. But holy crap- your art style! Love your vids den

i love that it's my first time watching you, and for a while i were thinking to delete youtube.

Finally someone I can relate, I need to go outside more and not stay too long on my computer!

Great video cypher