So many aspects of our society are online, from shopping to gaming to social connections, that it is easy to end up spending hours every day connected to the online world.
While the internet has transformed our lives in many positive ways, there is a downside to being online as it can lead to unhealthy habits.
A good example of this phenomenon is the online gambling world. Real world gambling venues such as casinos and betting shops offer barriers and prevention to problem gambling, but online it is all too easy for people to get sucked into bad gambling habits. This is why online casinos that offer top online slots or sports betting markets have to enforce a number of rules to encourage safer gambling.
Like online gambling, social media is another aspect of our connected world that has the potential to be harmful to users. Here are five tips to help you ensure that your relationship with social media is safe and healthy in 2023:
Time limits
The first rule to bear in mind is that you should always set time limits for using social media. It can be easy to lose track of time when scrolling through your feeds, so setting a specific amount of time each day or week that you allow yourself to use social media can be a good place to start.
If you are constantly on social media, it may be hard to do this at first, but you could start by checking how long you currently spend on social media at any one time and then choose a time limit that is half that figure. Set an alarm on your phone or another device for that time, and then every week, reduce that time further. This will slowly train your brain to override the addictive qualities of social media that keep you scrolling for much longer than is healthy.
Curate your content
Social media can be a great way to keep in touch with friends, to get friendly advice or to keep up with the things that are important to you. It can also, however, be a toxic environment.
All social media providers are slightly different, but there is a tendency with some of the bigger operators, such as Facebook and Twitter, to steer users towards controversial material, since this often generates the most attention. As a result, you can find yourself getting sucked into arguments and harmful situations that can add to your stress, and in some cases, put you in danger.
Always try to be mindful of your content consumption. Pay attention to the types of content you are consuming and the impact it has on your mood and thoughts. Try to limit exposure to negative or triggering content and take a step back from arguments or debates.
Maintain offline connections
Using social media to connect with others is a great way to make new friends and to keep in touch with people who you would not be able to see on a regular basis; however, it is also important to ensure that social media does not become your only means of socialization.
Social media relationships have a different dynamic than real world relationships. It is important to maintain real-life relationships and interactions as well so that you don’t lose the ability to relate to people in the real world, where the most fulfilling relationships will exist.
Protect personal information
If you’re chatting with friends on social media or replying to intriguing posts or articles, it is all too easy to let your guard down and reveal personal information. One of the most common ways this can happen is the online personality quiz that asks you to give personal information such as the street where you lived as a child or the name of your first pet. Be mindful of what you share online and with whom, and make sure you utilize the privacy settings available with all social media sites.
Take social media breaks
Finally, it can also be a good idea to simply take breaks from social media. It’s healthy to unplug and disconnect from time to time, if only for a few days or a week or two. This will help to ensure that you keep the online world in perspective and will enable you to reflect on the ways that you interact with social media and where you could make changes. Regular breaks from social media are a good way to ensure that your online existence remains healthy and positive.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years and have been an author at News Bulletin 247 for the past 5 years. I mostly cover technology news and enjoy writing about the latest gadgets and devices. I am also a huge fan of music and enjoy attending live concerts whenever possible.
