In a time where a load of information is at our fingertips and thousands of choices of entertainment are available through a few clicks, we are often unaware of just how many times we access the internet, or how reliant we are on it on a daily basis. With Apple’s new feature that enables users to check their screen time, we can now be a little bit more conscious of our online presence. So, in effort to understand my own relationship with my phone, I checked my screen time, and here are the results:
These data show that I’ve been on social networking sites, namely Instagram, Snapchat, Messages, and Groupme, for a duration of 1h 59m today, 9/17/2019. In addition, I’ve been on Safari for 11m, Google.com for 9m and Apple Music for 7m.
Having social media sites on our fingertips allows us to connect with friends and family regardless of our physical location. This makes life easier, as communication has become instantaneous. Likewise, having access to Safari or other search engines on our phones makes information searching convenient and hassle-free.
However, my daily Internet access does not stop at my iPhone. My web interactions today started as soon as I woke up:
9:10am : I used my laptop to check the Washington and Lee Interactive Map.
9:15am-10am: As I was getting ready, I accessed Netflix to watch Scandal and Apple Music and Alexa to listen to music.
10:15am-4:30pm: During my classes, I used the web to research unclear topics, to access Sakai or Canvas, and to check Pinterest and Instagram for design ideas.
5pm-5:05pm: I accessed WebMD to look up my friend’s symptoms. (Rookie Mistake)
5:30pm-5:40pm: I used GPS to get to Walmart.
8pm-1am: I used my computer to do homework and study, which required log-in to Sakai or Canvas, looking up already made Quizlets and watching Youtube videos. In this time, I also responded to emails, listened to music, logged into Instagram, and looked up d-hall hours.
With the various ways I use my devices, I amassed a total Internet interaction of 7+ hours.
Because the Internet is globalized and allows access to so much information, it eases daily life enormously. It allows busy people to plan their schedules and set meetings. It helps students study and get their homework done. It’s extensive entertainment options make boredom seem fictitious. It’s a distraction if we want it to be and a convenient safe haven if we want it to be.
Having access to the Internet at all times of day, regardless of my location on campus eases everyday routine. I am able to look up where I’m heading to in under 3 minutes. I can do homework and submit it online, and understand my school-work better by searching my questions online.
But it’s also imperative that we have a healthy relationship with our devices. Its ease can sometimes be all-consuming, so consciousness of how and when we use our devices is extremely important as we navigate through this digital world. Put down your phones every once in a while!
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