The digital era has brought with it changes that we must be aware of. All walks of life have now been touched by the internet. It is fair to say that our society would not run as it does without access to the world wide web. It isn’t just the professional realm that is being affected, but also the various entertainment sectors as well.
The Rise of Online Entertainment
Online entertainment is more developed than ever before. That means that it is also more widely available than it has ever been. But the availability could be seen as a double-edged sword in some cases. Constant access to entertainment can be distracting and lead to a pretty negative relationship with the way we spend our free time.
It is why so many people these days are concerned with their digital wellbeing. There are those who worry that there is nothing they can do about the relationship that the modern person has with the internet. But there are still some ways for us to establish boundaries between entertainment online and ourselves. That is what we are hoping to explore in this article.
Limits are Golden
Limiting yourself is one of the best ways to create a healthy relationship with online entertainment. The great news here is that even the online businesses are aware of this fact. Online casinos have deposit limits for example, which makes it easy for newbies to find their own boundary when they first join. It is also helpful that affiliate sites like Casino Groups help new players find the gambling platforms that suit their playstyle best. But those seeking to have some fun can set their own limits.
Implementing clock-out reminders is a good way to limit your time online. You can set up a timer on your electronic device that will remind you when it is time to take a break. These “clock-out” reminders are quite useful for people who have trouble keeping time in their head or who are prone to lose track of the time spent online.
Modern devices also have helpful tools to assist you in limiting your time online. Smartphones these days have “Do Not Disturb” options. The device cuts off any notification or noise that you might get while the mode is active. The function is perfect for people who might suffer insomnia due to exposure to the internet. It can also be useful when you need to take a break from online spaces in order to focus on work or family fun time.
Find Alternatives
The reason that so many people spend time online is because many of them can’t conceptualize an alternative form of entertainment. They are stuck between a rock and a hard place where the only affordable way to have fun is to look for free online venues of entertainment or just be bored. But the good news is that the modern era offers so many affordable or even free ways to have fun that the internet does not have to be your only option.
You could focus on your reading perhaps. Some might say that modern bookstores are quite pricey and that is certainly true. But what you have to remember is that screen time does not necessarily equal online time or time wasted. There are so many electronic book platforms that offer free books that you can read on pretty much any electronic device. Project Guttenberg is a great source for downloading free classics, many of which have shaped the modern era of literature.
You can also focus on honing your body rather than your mind. Exercise is another way to pass the time when the internet just gets a bit overwhelming. The good news is that in honing your body you also hone your mind. Exercise has been tied to improvement in mental health. It can lead to reduced stress and a general improvement in mood and outlook. The best part is that a gym membership is not necessary to improve physical fitness. Body workouts are all the rage among the youth these days.
Create a Support System
Human beings are social creatures. We rely on the support of the people who we trust and have surrounded ourselves with. It is why so many mental health professionals talk about cultivating supportive environments. If you are looking to cut down on your online time then you must communicate those intentions to the people around you. Ask friends and family to rely less on online methods of communication when they attempt to reach you for example.
Parents these days often worry about their children’s exposure to online entertainment, and the dangers that come with that. When most parents limit their children’s online time, they often fail to abide by the same rules that they’ve set up. Adults can abide by online safety measures, as they understand the dangers that come with exposure to the world wide web. But children may not understand this fact. They view the limits imposed on them as unfair in this situation.
It is why many mental health professionals recommend that parents limit their own time on the web. Doing so shows kids that everybody under the roof is equal. It greatly contributes to cultivating the supportive environment that we are talking about.
Mind Online Dangers
We would be remiss if we did not bring up the dangers of online entertainment. Most people are aware of the growing threat of cybercrime by now. But few know how to deal with the rising problem. This is where education on the new technologies comes in. We must all learn as much as we can about the steps that we need to take in order to protect ourselves from hackers and identity thieves.
Online entertainment suppliers have taken what precautions they can. Many are implementing multi-factor authentication and know your client policies. Encryption technology is also becoming increasingly more popular. Customers also need to take certain steps to ensure their own safety. Creating strong passwords and avoiding suspicious websites is only the first step.
