Going online is a great way to catch up with friends, expedite necessary research, make money, and find reasonably priced entertainment. But it should not get in the way of spending valuable quality time with those you love. For that reason, time on the web should be carefully monitored to make the best use of all time on and offline.
How Much Time is Being Spent Online?
According to data collected by comScore Media Matrix in late 2007, web users spend about 30 hours on the computer each week and 15 hours watching television.
This makes sense because computers are replacing print media. People interested in the news can read several newspapers every day online as well as catch video news via CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and other station’s websites. And those who do not have Comedy Central can still watch South Park for free, as well as other shows if their web connection can keep up with streaming videos.
Wasted Time Using the Internet
There is nothing wrong with using the web to shop, chat, or go to school. But a lot of time can be wasted doing things that suck a day away with ease.
Sites like Yahoo! have loads of free games and a great gaming community. However, a competitive streak matched with a constant supply of live players can lead to multiple games of hearts, spades, checkers, and chess with no effort at all as one jumps from one table to another. Despite the many advantages of playing games online, one disadvantage is time lost with those that live with you.
Another place that time can be wasted is social sites. MySpace and Facebook are fantastic places to catch up with friends, but there is a time and place to browse one’s high school alumni, and there’s a time to be with those that matter most.
Taking Control of Time Online
The best way to manage time online is to set reasonable limits and prioritize web use. For example, one person’s list of priorities for the computer might be
- School work
- Managing finances
- Socializing
- Entertainment
- News
Once priorities are set, then it is possible to set up time constraints, such as not allowing web use for fun between the hours of 5 pm and 9 pm. This way it won’t interfere with the family having dinner together and the computer is not in use until younger children are in bed.
Another time constraint could be that the computer gets turned off on Saturdays. Using this method, the family can spend time together with no computer-related interruptions. If someone wants to get on the computer, they have to turn it on and, when it boots up, anyone within earshot will know that a rule has been broken in the house.
It might sound harsh or strange, but accountability is a key to successful living, and spending quality time with one’s family is almost always more important than what is being done online.
So, in order to maximize time with family, it is important to get offline. Learn to recognize when time is being wasted, such as in viewing a friend’s new photos just for fun or constantly checking to see what the bidding price is for something you’ve posted on ebay four days before the auction is over.
This is very important because every minute not wasted online can be time spent very valuably with your family.
