As an avid user of the world wide web, I would be highly misguided to say that there isn't any good use for the internet. It's a vast store of information and a good way to bridge both cultural and geographical distances, among other things.
But with free wi-fi popping up everywhere and new smart devices coming out regularly, you may find yourself plugged into the web more than you want to be.
In this article, we'll look at a few ways you can keep your online usage to a productive level.
Don't Google It
There are many times we need information and the easy thing to do is to just pop up a web search. Lots of information is available and much of it from good sources, but the internet is also full of hearsay, slander, cheap opinions, misinformation, and misquotes. Consulting a book or going to the library instead when you need information has a few distinct advantages over the internet.
This puts you closer to the information source, by consulting the author's own work rather than collecting information from a series of blogs, YouTube videos, and message boards which may or may not be accurate or useful.
A visit to the library or reading through an interesting book can be very relaxing and reduce stress levels, something which is needed in our hectic, mile-a-minute world. You can't expect this from staring at a flickering digital image.
A study from Norway found that reading on paper was superior to reading from a screen, in terms of comprehension. ScienceNordic.com, in an article by Arfinn Christensen discussing the findings, says, "Digital information isn’t just a fleeting phenomenon on your computer screen. It disappears more quickly from your memory, too. Screens are best for superficial and speedy reading."
They went on to state, "The results clearly demonstrated that those who had read on computer screens had understood less than those who read on paper. Perhaps surprisingly, this disparity was encountered with both the fiction and the factual prose."
The science proves it, whether it's a novel or research for a college thesis, it's better to read it in a book than to web search it, so take a break from the net and hit the library.
Limit Social Media Use
With practically everyone from children to the President logging on to social media, it can be easy to fall into the habit of using it for socializing. It may seem counter-intuitive but this can actually create the opposite effect. One study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that high levels of social media use actually led to feelings of social isolation. It seems clear that, if you are a person who believes that true human socialization is possible on these platforms, then you could be led into a feedback loop of using social media to connect, then feeling isolated, then using social media to combat the feeling, etc.
Don't be afraid to set limits on social media use. A good hard and fast rule that I swear by goes like this: I don't use social media to talk to people who I could reasonably contact in person.
An example would be the friend I could meet up with because they only live 15 minutes away, I don't use social media to talk to. Whereas a beloved family member who lives two states away, I may contact regularly through social media. This is a good way to put to use all of the tools on offer, such as video chat, to keep in contact with those far away, while not neglecting the real-life connections I have in my close proximity. And even with distant friends, it can be more meaningful to just send a handwritten letter.
Shop Locally More Often
One of the good things about the time we live in is the fact that you can just about buy anything online. If you live in the middle of nowhere but you still want good Korean food, you can totally shop for ingredients on eBay, Amazon, and a host of other shopping sites. It's fun to see what is out there. However, if you are looking to lead a meaningful life without being constantly plugged in, then one solution is to shop locally.
Patronize your local shops. Hit your local farmer's market to find your meat and produce. Head for local flea markets and craft fairs. The selection may not be as good, but it more than makes up for it in the relationships you make with shop owners and cashiers, and in the sense of community you get from feeding the local economy rather than an online megastore. Reserve online shopping for the must-haves that you can't get locally.
From iPhone to A Phone
You can have a lot of simple fun from apps and games on your smart phone. There seems to be apps for nearly everything and many are quite useful. Despite their usefulness, you could wind up spending several hours fiddling on an app or game. They are great time wasters and this leads us to another good way to reduce screen time and get back to the real world. Use your cell phone only for phone calls.
Cell phones are very useful and if you've ever broken down on a back road at night, you might even consider them a lifesaver. However, when it comes to relaxing, there are many other ways to while away the time.
You can play cards, dominoes, chess, or board games. You can spend time with family or friends and catch up on the latest gossip. Rather than tapping away on your smartphone during a long commute, take a paperback novel along instead. Keep knitting or crochet projects or even embroidery supplies in your bag for the time between appointments. Take along language lessons or music on an mp3 player.
There is any number of productive and fulfilling things you can fill your time with that doesn't involve a touchscreen or a wi-fi connection.
Thanks for reading and please share!
