Social Media is an Atmosphere: Reflections on Charlotte Mason and Social Media
Charlotte Mason’s 5th principle of education is, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life,” reminds us that the environment we create for our children deeply influences their growth. I know I've taken this to mean that I need the beautiful curated homeschool room and linen cover books to make our days beautiful and magical. (spoiler alert, you don’t need either one of those things)
At a weekend retreat I was blessed to spend time listening to Donna-Jean Breckenridge (one of the creators of Ambleside Online) share her thoughts and wisdom about Charlotte Mason’s thought of eduction being an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. I felt particularly moved by her talk about atmosphere. The feel of our home. The air we breathe. I thought heavily and journaled over the weekend about this idea and its involvement in other areas of my life.
Stay with me for a second…
But what if we applied this same wisdom to the digital spaces we inhabit?
Social media is an atmosphere.
It shapes our thoughts, cultivates our habits, and ultimately forms a part of our daily lives. Just as we are mindful of the physical atmosphere we create in our home: we fill it with beauty, good books, and inspiring conversation. I think we can and should be just as intentional about curating a life-giving atmosphere in our social media feeds.
The Atmosphere We Breathe In
Imagine walking into a home filled with light, warmth, and the aroma of fresh-baked bread. The walls are lined with well-loved books, the conversation is rich and meaningful, and there’s a sense of peace. Now picture stepping into a home filled with noise, clutter, and a sense of hurried discontent. Each atmosphere affects how you feel, think, and act.
Social media is much the same. The accounts we follow, the content we consume, and the conversations we engage in all contribute to the atmosphere we breathe in online. Is it one of encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration? Or is it one of comparison, distraction, and discouragement?
Studies show that constant exposure to negative or stressful content on social media can rewire the brain’s stress response, increasing anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. Research in neuroscience indicates that doomscrolling and consuming toxic digital content can lead to increased cortisol levels, reinforcing cycles of negativity and making it harder to break free from anxious thought patterns. (Source: Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2020)
I can tell you, during my own struggles with chronic illness and chronic pain, doom scrolling contributed negatively to my mental health.
The Atmosphere We Create
Just as we cultivate beauty and order in our homes, we can shape a social media presence that nourishes rather than depletes. This doesn’t mean ignoring hard truths or curating a picture-perfect existence, but it does mean being intentional about what we share and engage with. In this day and age of authenticity, we often find moms posting their messy houses and sharing their negative thoughts. I’ll be honest, I’ve seen more than one homeschool account consistently post about negative aspects of various schooling methods. While this generates likes and conversations, you have to wonder what consuming this content is doing to our brains.
Ask yourself:
Does my content bring encouragement and life to others?
Am I fostering thoughtful, meaningful discussions?
Do I offer wisdom, beauty, and truth in what I post and share?
Am I pointing others toward things that are good, noble, and true?
If social media is an atmosphere, then we have the privilege and responsibility to fill it with things that encourage, uplift, and edify.
Cultivating a Life-Giving Social Media Feed
How do we create an atmosphere on social media that mirrors the richness of a Charlotte Mason education? Here are a few simple ways:
Follow accounts that inspire and encourage. Seek out creators who share truth, wisdom, and beauty rather than those who stir up comparison and anxiety.
Be a voice of encouragement. Share posts that build others up, point to Christ, and bring light to someone's day.
Engage with intention. Avoid mindless scrolling and instead interact in a way that fosters genuine connection and thoughtful conversation.
Prioritize real life over digital life. Let your online presence be an overflow of the richness of your real-life experiences, not a substitute for them.
Take breaks when needed. Just as we step outside for fresh air, sometimes we need to step away from social media to reset and refocus.
Neuroscientific research suggests that taking regular breaks from social media can improve focus, reduce anxiety, and help regulate dopamine levels, leading to healthier habits and more meaningful engagement. (Source: Nature Communications, 2021)
A Call to Intentionality
Social media, like education, is an atmosphere, one that can shape our hearts and minds for better or worse. We have the power to create digital spaces that reflect truth, goodness, and beauty. Let’s be intentional about crafting a social media presence that gives life, encourages others, and ultimately points us to what truly matters.
What kind of atmosphere are you cultivating online? May it be one of grace, wisdom, and encouragement, one that breathes life into all who encounter it
