The right formula for a balanced usage of digital world

With the internet being an endless world, there are many tempting and entertaining things you can do online at any time. For example, everyday, most young people communicate with their friends through texting, post pictures and videos on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, scrolling through the latest happenings around the world on social media platforms, play online games, watch movies and shows, and even order food online.

Spending time on the internet is not a bad thing, in fact, there are many positive outcomes of doing so. However, it's very important to recognize just how much time you’re spending online and keep a healthy balance of your online and offline lives.

Signs that you spend too much time online:

You are growing distant from your friends and family.
Your performance at work or school is declining.
You are prioritizing using the internet over social events.
You are suffering from eye strain or headaches.
You have trouble sleeping.
You find it difficult to stop thinking about social media or online games.
You’re always on your phone during gatherings or outings.

Studies have shown that excessive use of gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and laptops can ultimately lead to mental and physical health problems like obesity, eye exhaustion, dizziness, back pain, headaches, posture issues, insomnia, stress, and more.

How you can find a balance:

Set specific online hours

Determine a certain number of hours to spend on the internet everyday. A healthy period normally doesn’t exceed 4 to 5 hours a day. You can also activate settings that allow you to track how much time you spend using your apps.

Turn off social media notifications

Try to disconnect by turning off app notifications on your device. This will stop you from automatically grabbing your phone every time it lets out an alert.

Keep your devices out of bed

Since exposure to screens and spending too much time scrolling through apps can cause insomnia and disturb your sleeping pattern, it's better to turn everything off at least an hour before going to bed, and leave devices out of your bedroom.

Make plans with friends and family

Social media apps promote social communication, but nothing beats face-to-face bonding and conversations. Make sure to spend time with your friends and family and hold back on using your phone during gatherings.

Stay active

A sedentary lifestyle is proven to have harmful effects on your body and mental health. Staying active, even if simply by taking a short walk on a daily basis is much better than spending your day sitting or laying down doing minimal physical activity.

Take it easy

Fear of missing out is a real feeling. That being said, in reality, you wouldn’t really be missing out on anything since you’ll eventually get caught up when you go back online.

Take control of your online experience, don’t let it control you.

It’s good to always remember that technology and the digital world were created to benefit us and help us progress. This can only happen when we use technology responsibly, ethically, and with total awareness. Finding balance does not mean steering clear of the internet, on the contrary, nowadays, it's a crucial part of our lives that must be utilized by the digital generation the right way.

It’s easy to get carried away and form a habit of depending heavily on the internet as it's accessible anywhere and anytime. Your experience online should be positive and it must never negatively interfere with your life, relationships, mental health, work, self-image, productivity, or overall wellbeing.

For more on digital wellbeing, click here.