Though it can seem like there’s no escaping the impact of new technology, modern life is full of ways to reduce its risks. Here are a few tips and tricks to help limit the damage. You can avoid the need to adapt your habits, interests, and activities to incorporate new developments in technology. Read on to learn more about how you can protect yourself from technology and keep your tech use under control.
Don’t spend all your time on the internet
It’s easy to fall into the habit of spending a lot of your time online. Whether you’re watching YouTube, checking social media, or reading news and blogs, you may find yourself constantly connected. While this can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, it can also lead to excessive tech use.
Excessive use of technology can cause stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and poor work performance. Worse, it can also lead to serious problems such as depression, insomnia, and even eating disorders. This is especially concerning for young people, who are at especially high risk for these issues. If you spend all your time online, you won’t have the time or energy to enjoy life the way it is. Instead of being present in your life, you’ll be online instead.
Don’t respond to ads
Like any other media product, you can’t just consume the internet without contributing. If you don’t reply to ads, you’re not only missing out on discounts and free products. If you don’t leave a comment, you’re letting the company know that they’re not connecting with your interests.
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Brands want to know this so that they can make their adverts more relevant to your needs. If you don’t answer emails and comments, you’re also missing out on the chance to create relationships and partnerships with brands.
Turn off notifications
You’ve probably noticed that your phone starts buzzing right when you sit down to read a book. You might even find yourself scrolling through social media while you’re eating or while brushing your teeth. This is especially problematic when these activities happen while you’re distracted. You may be able to multi-task while driving, but even then you should drive with one eye on the road and one on your phone. These technology-influenced habits are dangerous for many reasons. Including the fact that you might be missing important notifications.
Turning off notifications can help you focus better, and you’ll still be able to keep an eye on important things like your calendar, texts, and calls. It’s also a good idea to set your phone to do something else when you’re eating or brushing your teeth, like have your phone make a sound or launch an app you set up to remind you to take a break.
Limit when you use the internet
It’s important to realize that the internet is a privilege, not a right. Just because you have access to a connection doesn’t mean that you need to use it.
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If you can, unplug for the time when you aren’t doing productive or enjoyable activities like reading, writing, or talking with family and friends. You can also use your smartphone’s internet-saving mode to limit the time you spend online.
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You can also try to avoid technology when you’re tired or sick. Finally, it’s also a good idea to limit your screen time as much as possible when you’re eating or sleeping.
Use a VPN
A VPN (a virtual private network) creates a new virtual network that routes all your internet traffic through a server outside your physical location. This creates a secure network that’s more difficult for advertisers to track. A VPN will also encrypt your data, mask your identity, and provide a lot of privacy.
For example, if you’re trying to watch a streaming service while you’re in another part of the world, a VPN will encrypt your data so that you can still enjoy the content. You can also use a VPN to access blocked content, unblock geo-blocks, protect yourself from online threats, and avoid internet-sucking ads.
There are a few things to keep in mind before you start using a VPN. First, you should make sure you’re in a location where there’s good internet access. Second, you should make sure that the VPN service you’re using is trustworthy. Finally, you should use a VPN for a short period.
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Lock down your phone’s settings
When you’re on the internet, it’s helpful to know exactly where your information is being sent. This can help you minimize the risk of identity theft and other types of misuse. However, it also makes it harder to protect yourself when using sketchy websites. To keep your settings locked down, use a browser that’s configured to keep your information safe, such as Tor Browser or Firefox. In addition, make sure that your browser is configured to erase your history and cookies after each session.
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Reset your device’s defaults and settings
Technically speaking, this should be the first tip, but it’s too good not to include. If you’ve fallen into lifestyle creep, you need to reset your device. This will wipe your settings and restore them to their default state. It’s worth doing even if you don’t think you’ve fallen victim to technology addiction. Resetting your settings is a great way to eliminate any potential security holes and improve your device’s performance. Resetting is also a useful way to remove any unwanted apps that you don’t want or need.
You can reset your device’s settings in a few different ways. One is to power down your device, wait a few seconds, and then power it back up. Another is to plug your device into a power strip and then turn it off and on.
