On average, people spend an average of 7 hours in front of screens every day, and that’s the ones who don’t rely on computers or devices to do their jobs.
This presents two challenges: the first one is to stay safe in the dangerous online world, and the second one is to take care of our mental health, which may get compromised with so much screen time.
Let’s go through some basic healthy digital habits everyone could follow to take care of both.
- Upping Your Password Game
Imagine getting all your information stolen, this could end in several problematic situations. Plus, it could cause you a lot of stress, and password managing is the most basic of the security measures.
You should definitely keep your passwords strong and different across all your platforms.
How to Create a Safe Password
- Mix letters, numbers, and special characters (this could be mandatory on many platforms).
- Avoid using personal information for your codes.
- Keep them very different across all your accounts, if you have trouble remembering them you can download a password manager.
- Using 2FA or Authenticator Apps
This might sound complicated, but it’s simple, you will be asked to use an extra code to access your accounts, that’s it. Lots of people already are using 2FA (abbreviation for Two-Factor Authentication).
This tool gives you extra security and is really easy to use. There are two ways to use this tool:
- Most digital companies offer this service in 2024 from the apps and platforms.
- Download an authenticator app and link it with your accounts.
- Being Careful With Public Wi-Fi
Did you know that hackers usually use techniques to crack systems through weak Wi-Fi and internet connections?
Sometimes, it is inevitable to use public Wi-Fi, especially if you are in a new place, but that is exactly what makes them dangerous.
According to Forbes, 43% of people have had their data compromised when accessing public Wifi, even if they didn’t know.
Unfortunately, data is easy to access through Wi-Fi networks. Remember, all devices can be hacked when using public Wi-Fi, not only your laptop.
A VPN Can Keep You Safe
You might ask yourself: “Is a VPN worth it?” and the answer is yes.
VPNs are perfect for this scenario because they will encrypt your data and make it harder for criminals to access your devices.
Plus, this is a flexible tool and it actually could do a lot more than just protecting you from public wifis.
- Practicing Digital Minimalism
Have you ever tried working in a chaotic office?
If you did, you probably know that it’s not the same as working in a clean and organized environment. Well, the same applies to the digital environment.
Regularly cleaning up your digital files can improve your productivity and make it easier to find what you need.
This simple habit could take you little time if you practice it regularly (once a week or a month), and it will for sure create more friendly spaces for you to work and have fun.
- Managing Your Applications
You own your apps; you should be in charge of how much time you use them, the notifications you receive, and which ones you have on your phone.
Delete old apps and make sure you run the latest version of your installed ones.
Plus, take control of notifications and practice limiting them. Most phones let you choose your rest time and silence all notifications when requested.
Consider also using a screen time tracker and being mindful of which apps you use the most. Your screen time should make sense to you, and this is something we should all pay attention to in 2024.
Conclusion
Staying healthy and safe online is a huge challenge, but we do not have other options, right? It is almost impossible to avoid the digital world, and most of us probably use the internet for more than a few hours a day.
That’s okay, the truth is that we shouldn’t feel bad about it, that’s how our lives are now.
However, we should remember to keep control over it, at least take the necessary precautions, and incorporate the most healthy habits within our possibilities.
Simple habits like the ones in this article could be the perfect start for anyone worrying about digital health.