Every day starts the same way for me in the digital world; opening a few apps that have basically become part of my routine. Like any wolf moving through its territory, I tend to circle the same spaces online. For me, those spaces are Snapchat, TikTok, and Amazon. Each one serves a completely different purpose, but together they show how deeply digital media is woven into my everyday life.
The first place I usually check in is Snapchat. It’s my main way of staying connected with friends and family. Snapchat is built around the quick communication; sending pictures, short videos, or messages that disappear after they’re viewed. One thing that keeps me running back to the app every day is my Snapchat streaks. A streak happens when two people send snaps back and forth every single day, and the app keeps track of how many days in a row it has continued. Some of my streaks have been going for a long time, and at that point it almost becomes a small daily tradition. It’s simple, quick, and keeps the pack connected.
Then there’s TikTok, which is a completely different experience. Snapchat’s about communication, but my TikTok is about content. I’ll be honest, TikTok is where I end up doomscrolling down the rabbit holes. Doomscrolling, if you don’t know, is when you sit down thinking you’ll watch one or two videos, and suddenly you’ve watched a hundred. The content can range from funny clips to random educational videos to completely unexpected topics. TikTok’s algorithm learns quickly what keeps your attention, so it constantly feeds you more of that same type of content. Before you know it, you’ve been scrolling for way longer than planned. If you’re hungry for content, Tiktok is your feed.
The third digital space I spend time in is Amazon, but not always for buying things. In a strange way, I treat Amazon almost like scouting through new territory. I search for things I want, add them to wish lists, and rarely actually buy them right away. A lot of the time I’m simply tracking ideas for birthday presents or holiday gifts, almost like storing supplies back at the den for later. Instead of scrambling when those events come up, I’ll scroll occasionally and add items to a list to revisit down the trail. It ends up feeling a bit like digital window shopping mixed with a little future planning.
My reactions to digital media are honestly a mix of positive and negative, depending on the moment. Most of the time, my experiences on Snapchat, TikTok, and Amazon is positive. Snapchat helps me stay connected with my pack, TikTok provides entertainment and sometimes even interesting information, and Amazon helps me keep track of things I might want or need later. At the same time, I also think digital media reflects how we choose to move through it. Just like navigating unfamiliar territory, the media itself isn’t always the problem, it’s how much control we give it. If scrolling or browsing starts to feel like it’s wasting time or putting me in a negative mindset, that’s usually my signal to step away and regroup. Digital platforms can be fun and useful, but only if we stay in control of how we travel through that digital landscape.
One thing that really stands out to me when thinking about digital media today is how heavily it influences marketing. In many ways, companies are like hunters tracking specific trails. Marketing online feels extremely targeted because companies try to identify very specific groups of people and tailor advertisements directly to them. While this can make ads feel more relevant to the people who see them, it can also be limiting because it focuses heavily on niche audiences and sometimes overlooks other potential customers who might still be interested. Another interesting thing I’ve noticed is how user-specific marketing has become. Digital platforms track behavior and spending habits, which means two people might actually see different prices for the exact same product online. For example, with things like online grocery ordering or targeted promotions, one user might pay more or less than another depending on what the system has learned about their buying patterns. In a way, companies are constantly following digital footprints to decide how they market and price their products.
Overall, digital media has become part of how we communicate, relax, and shop every day. Apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Amazon may all serve different purposes, but they show just how much the digital world shapes modern routines. Like any good den, the online spaces we return to regularly say a lot about how we move through the digital world.
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Just another day running through the digital territory.
The Wolfe Den 