Beyond the Likes

Story of The Week

Matt was a star basketball player at his small-town high school and a local Instagram sensation. Every game, every practice, and every achievement was meticulously documented and shared with his growing follower base. Matt relished the attention, believing his talent and social media presence would automatically propel him to play after high school.

However, at a high school skills showcase, Matt was outclassed by athletes who had been dedicating themselves to improvement rather than social media. These players had spent countless hours honing their skills, while Matt had been busy posting online. Facing the harsh reality of his situation, Matt realized the gap between his online persona and his actual performance.

The turning point came when Matt got cut from a regional team, a team he had assumed he would easily make. Devastated, he met with a seasoned coach who offered some hard truths. The coach explained that genuine effort and improvement were crucial and that likes and comments didn’t translate to real-world achievement. He advised Matt to focus on training and personal growth.

With the coach’s guidance, Matt began to prioritize intense training over social media. He learned to use his platform as a tool for inspiration and documentation rather than validation. Slowly but surely, Matt's skills improved, and he started to see the results of his hard work.

Ultimately, Matt achieved his dreams through genuine effort and resilience. He realized that true success required more than just online approval; it demanded dedication, focus, and a willingness to grow beyond the likes.

Stat of the week

Teenagers spend an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes per day on social media.

45% of teenagers and 31% of adults report being online "almost constantly."

Adults spend an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes per day on social media. 

Some statistics have shown that: Teenagers can spend up to  7 hours and 22 minutes per day on their phones (including all activities, not just social media).

Adults spend an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes per day on their phones. 

Only 20% of teenagers meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, according to the CDC.

Teenagers who spend more than 5 hours per day on electronic devices are 75% less likely to meet the physical activity guidelines.