Screenshot Diaries: How Our Phones Became the New Personal Journals ...

Screenshot Diaries: How Our Phones Became the New Personal Journals …

Remember when diaries were private, leather-bound, and hidden under mattresses? Fast forward to today, and our “journals” live inside a glass rectangle—our phones. Instead of writing down our thoughts, we take screenshots. That hilarious meme, the tweet you swore you’d show your best friend, the recipe you’ll never cook, the motivational quote you promise to revisit—all carefully preserved with a click.

Screenshots have become the digital shorthand of our lives. They’re our memory capsules, our mood boards, and sometimes, evidence in a heated “you said this!” debate. Think about it: your screenshot folder might just be a perfect reflection of who you are—your humor, your friendships, your curiosity, and your late-night online rabbit holes.

The quirkiness lies in how universal yet unique this habit is. Gen Z, Millennials, even Boomers—all are guilty. Screenshots are no longer just utilities; they’re cultural artifacts. The funniest part? We rarely go back to clean them up, so our gallery is an accidental time machine filled with chaos—half-forgotten conversations, random items in shopping carts, or notes we meant to “deal with later.”

Maybe it’s time to admit that the screenshot is the modern diary entry. Messy, unfiltered, and perfectly human.

So, the next time your gallery warns “storage almost full,” don’t think of it as clutter. Think of it as your life story, pixel by pixel.

Anindita Dey

Dr. Anindita Dey is a researcher, writer, and media scholar from Shillong, Meghalaya, with a keen interest in film studies, new media, print and television journalism, and cultural studies. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Assam Royal Global University, where her research explored the intersections of media, relationships, and cultural narratives. Her academic journey has been marked by excellence, including a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with 92.3% and the Dean’s Lister Award (2019) for academic achievement. Dr. Dey’s published works span diverse areas—from queer narratives in Indian cinema and digital misinformation to influencer marketing, Facebook’s impact on marital bonds, and cinema consumption patterns in urban India. She has also contributed a book chapter on new media and Assamese wedding rituals, and has presented papers at international conferences, including MAHE Dubai and Mizoram University. Beyond academics, she has professional experience with East Mojo and internships with Doordarshan Shillong and the Muskurahat Foundation, where she honed her skills in production, post-production, and social outreach. Her interests extend into the arts as well—having trained in Rabindra Nritya, Rabindra Sangeet, and Kathak dance—which reflect her deep-rooted love for culture and performance. Dr. Dey continues to explore how media, culture, and technology shape human experiences, while also contributing actively to academic, social, and cultural discourses.