The internet lets us learn new skills or connect with like-minded people half the world away. Sadly, using it can also turn into a self-feeding cycle of doomscrolling and take a toll on your mental health.
Unless you aspire to become a hermit, it’s impossible to stop using the internet altogether. However, there are habits you can identify and address to make using it healthier and more meaningful. This article highlights the most common harmful internet habits and ways of overcoming them.
Spending Too Much Time on It
The average 16 to 24-year-old now spends more than seven hours per day online. A good chunk may be school or work-related, but that still leaves a lot of time you may be better off spending in other ways. Excessive internet use leads to poor concentration, disrupts healthy sleeping patterns, and can make you more anxious or depressed.
Limit your use by turning off unnecessary notifications and logging out of apps and websites after using them, making it harder to jump in next time. Dedicate time each day to engage in un or productive activities without internet access. Also, consider the occasional digital detox to take a break from the countless online sources vying for your attention and reset your brain.
Using Social Media Irresponsibly
Social media has become the default means of keeping up with friends and interests. Yet, it can also harm you in various ways. Influencers and even ordinary friends tailor their content, showing themselves and their lives in the best possible light. Comparing your entire complex life to others’ curated highlights creates unrealistic expectations and harms your self-esteem.
Seeking attention and validation on social media may also make you vulnerable. You’re more likely to overcompensate by oversharing personal information or growing your followers by adding people you don’t know. Setting all your socials to private, being mindful of what you share, and only doing so with people you trust will go a long way.
Not Practicing Critical Thinking Skills
Since answers to most questions you could ever have are a Google search away, it’s easier than ever to accept what we see online unconditionally. This can cause lots of problems, from consuming low-quality or even intentionally misleading news to being all too trusting and clicking on suspicious links without a second thought.
In fact, Gen Z is the most susceptible to different social engineering tactics and social media scams. Educating yourself on how the most common ones and limiting the information available about you will protect you from general social engineering attempts. For example, learn what spear phishing is and the particular kind of social engineering attacks, like pig-butchering.
Neglecting Offline Relationships
The internet allows us to remain in touch from anywhere and respond to messages whenever convenient. Ironically, it’s also making us spend less time in the physical presence of loved ones. This doesn’t only negatively impact relationships – it may make it harder to develop new ones and communicate effectively in the real world.
Try to make more time for face-to-face interactions with friends and family. Quality is equally important, so turn your phones off when enjoying a meal or going on an adventure together. Documenting shared memories is fun and rewarding, but actually living them is more important.
Not Taking Your Digital Safety Seriously
We take for granted how much we rely on the internet for everything from ordering food or paying bills to accessing educational resources and entertainment. All these activities require you to create accounts and link them to personal data and payment info. Keeping such information secure isn’t glamorous, but not doing so can have serious consequences.
Maintaining unique, complex passwords is a good start. A password manager will make creating and storing them easier. Plus, the best password managers can sync across your devices for hassle-free logins from anywhere or set up two-factor authentication for even more security.
You’ll also want to protect your devices from malware and other attacks by ensuring they’re always up to date and you have backups of all your important files. Be cautious about which sites you visit and which apps you install, especially if they ask for permissions unrelated to their use. Avoid public Wi-Fi and check whether unfamiliar sites start with https and a padlock icon for secure browsing.
Conclusion
Like all things, the internet will serve you best if used in moderation. Positive change begins by realizing how much of it is designed to keep you scrolling and, hopefully, buying something. Taking control of your internet habits and mastering them instead of remaining their slave will benefit your health, mindset, and personal growth. Reflecting and acting upon the advice shared here will help you take the first steps with more confidence.