A new goal setting app has launched in Australia, leaving the professional bias of LinkedIn and superficial filters of Instagram behind.

It’s time to say goodbye to comparison, competition and unrealistic expectations with The Cheer Collective – the first socially-led goal setting app that transforms the way users think about networking and personal goals. The app moves beyond the traditional individualist model of private goal setting and instead opts for a more motivating, inclusive and supportive space for all users to take part in.

Social networking is complex and with the rise of more and more platforms, a love-hate relationship with our devices and digital connectivity has emerged.

Put it this way. We love scrolling through perfectly curated feeds that align to our likes and interests but when it gets too much, our first instinct is to switch off social media. We put that phone down and try to block out the soul-destroying comparisons and voices telling us that we will never look like those on the screen who must just  “have it all”, “be it all”, “know it all”, (they rarely do btw).  But is switching our phones off really the answer?

Neuroscientists have shown that rewarding social stimuli – laughing faces, positive recognition by our peers, messages from loved ones – activate the same reward pathways in-person and online. Smartphones have provided us with an unlimited supply of these stimuli. Every notification, from texts, a “like” on Instagram, or a Facebook notification, has the potential to be a positive dopamine inducing social stimulus (LINK).

So while this is true in theory, the reality looks very different. In surveys undertaken since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, just over 54% of respondents reported that they felt lonelier since the start of the pandemic (Lim et al. 2020). While turning to social media for connection, entertainment and escape has come with its joys and benefits, the over consumption of social media platforms such as instagram has been associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying and FOMO. They can also foster a negative body image and poor sleep habits. (The UK’s Royal Society for Public Health LINK). As studies have suggested, the more social media young adults consume, the more likely they are to report depression or anxiety.

Stepping away from the clinically addictive feedback loops is hard work especially because they are designed to keep users online and engaged for longer. But if we can find an equilibrium and adopt more positive tech rituals into our daily routines, we might be able to strike the right balance.

Engaging with platforms such as The Cheer Collective can encourage and support a more mindful and fulfilled life while staying in touch with other like-minded individuals. We need more sources of positive inspiration that are derived through encouragement and collaboration. The Cheer Collective opens the door to digital community building by allowing users to interact with one another on a deeper level. The platform was built to connect humans, globally, based on values, growth and respect.

Recent years have presented a range of challenges for many across the digital and IRL world but it was also a time for self-discovery, reflection, and growth. In 2022, social media will evolve alongside it’s users and move beyond the aesthetics and superficial professional accomplishments of traditional platforms. The answer is actually to be more discriminating about the content you give your time and precious energy to.

Download The Cheer Collective via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store