Step 1: Set My Goals

• Managing privacy and personal data effectively:
• Wellness and Digital Balance: 

Step 2: Analyze My Current Digital Habits

• How much time do you spend consuming digital media daily?
  • Approximately 6-8 hours, including work and leisure. This is too much.
• Which platforms or sources do you rely on most for news or entertainment?
  • News: MSNBC, Local newspapers and channels
  • Entertainment: Netflix, Apple Podcasts
  • Social Media: LinkedIn (mostly professional), TikTok, Instagram,
• Are your privacy settings optimized across social media accounts?
  • Not as much as they can be, I need to do a thorough review quarterly
• Do you verify information before sharing it online?
  • Usually, yes, especially on social media. However, I could be more diligent when casually mentioning something I read online in a conversation

Step 3: Set SMART Objectives

1. Objective 1: Proactive Privacy Management
   • Specific: Review and update privacy settings on all social channels, focusing on data sharing permissions and ad personalization.
   • Measurable: Complete a full privacy review and document the changes made.
   • Achievable: Review quarterly
   • Relevant: Gain more control over my personal data and online footprint.
   • Time-bound: Begin May 2
2. Objective 2: Improved Digital Wellness
   • Specific: Reduce daily recreational screen time (excluding work) by one hour.
   • Measurable: Track daily screen time using the built-in features on my phone and laptop, aiming for a consistent one-hour reduction on average per day.
   • Achievable: Replace screen time with other activities, such as reading, walking, or spending time with family.
   • Relevant: Improve my overall well-being, reduce eye strain, and increase time for other hobbies.
   • Time-bound: Maintain the reduced screen time for at least one month.

Step 4: Develop Key Actions

• Objective 1: Proactive Privacy Management
  • Action 1: Schedule a specific time in my calendar to review all social media privacy settings.
  • Action 2: Systematically go through each privacy option, understanding its implications and making appropriate adjustments.
• Objective 2: Improved Digital Wellness
  • Action 1: Implement a “no screens” rule for the hour before bed.
  • Action 2: Actively plan alternative activities for times I would normally be scrolling (e.g., reading, listening to music, going for a walk).
  • Action 3: Turn off non-essential notifications on my phone.
  • Action 4: Use the “Focus” modes or Digital Wellbeing features on my devices to limit access to distracting apps during specific times.

Step 5: Track and Reflect on My Progress

• Tracking:
  • Privacy Management: I will keep a log of the date I reviewed my privacy settings and the specific changes I made.
  • Digital Wellness: I will use my phone’s built-in screen time tracker to monitor my daily screen time and compare it to my target reduction.
• Reflection: At the end of each week, I will spend 15 minutes reviewing my screen time and reflecting on my progress. I’ll ask myself:
  • What worked well?
  • What challenges did I face?
  • What adjustments do I need to make to my action plan?

Resources for Success

• Privacy Tools: DuckDuckGo (private browser), LastPass (password manager)
• AI Tools: Explore AI responsibly with Google Pinpoint or Teachable Machine

Commit to Lifelong Learning

• I commit to continue in my digital media journey, learning, growing, and exploring. With the rise of artificial intelligence, misinformation, and propaganda, it is critical to stay aware, informed, and engaged.