The Internet is a beautiful thing. It gives us a fresh supply of content every day, and there is plenty more in store if you know where to look. There's so much to see and hear that sometimes, it's hard to peel yours;f away from a screen. Here are signs that you're online way too much.
1. Notifications First Thing in the Morning
Usually, people would stare at the ceiling for a good five minutes after they wake up, make their bed, and drink coffee before they even touch their phones. For some, however, the first thing they check is notifications on their phones. There are better ways to start your day than looking at a screen.
2. App Hopping
When you have nothing else to do on one app, and your instinct immediately tells you to switch to a different one, that is a sign that you need to put your phone down for some time. When you make a habit of it, there's no end to it, and you will be spending hours and hours on the Internet.
3. Social Media FOMO
Social media apps are widely used now by most of the people we know, and they use them to post about various events in their lives. It's also the place where we keep up with current events. With that being said, it's still not ideal for you to be on social media every minute to stay on top of things all the time.
4. Losing Network Connection Calls for a Panic
Have you ever lost connection to the Internet and suddenly start to panic? You feel as though there's nothing else to do. That's because you're so used to being online most of the time that you forget the fact that people survived when phones still had wires at the end of them and they had no screens.
5. Losing Interest in Other Things
There's a lot to do outside of a computer screen, and often times we have a hobby that doesn't involve typing or browsing online. When you start to steer away from the things you want to do just so you can surf the net more, you need to reevaluate your priorities.
6. Poor Concentration
As pointed out by Priory Group, excessive Internet usage may lead to poor concentration for other activities. You'll be too preoccupied thinking about getting back online to focus on the task at hand that you won't do it well.
7. Body Pain
As you know, scanning through social media or watching Netflix does not require a lot of movement. The body is meant to move from time to time, and if you stay still for long periods of time, you'll likely develop pains and aches in different parts of your body, especially your back.
Read Also: 8 Pros and Cons of Social Media Absence
8. Online Presence Equates Trust
A lot of personal information about a person is readily available on their social media accounts, as mentioned by Complex, which makes you feel like you know them a little more. This can lead to you not trusting someone who doesn't have a social media account.
It doesn't mean they're hiding something. Maybe they just want to stay away from all the negativity on the Internet, or maybe they just want to keep their private lives private. You never know for sure.
9. Hearing Notification Pings
If you have your notification sounds on, you're probably used to the notification sound of social media or messaging apps. However, if you start hearing them even if there are no notifications, you need to head out and listen to your surroundings for a change.
10. Social Isolation
This is probably one of the most common signs. You would rather stay holed up in a room and spends hours on end on different sites instead of socializing with family or friends. It won't do you any good to isolate yourself from the people you know, especially those you care about.
Related: 8 Digital Detox Tips For A Better Mental Health In 2023
