6 Bad Digital Habits and How to Beat Them Infographic

6 Bad Digital Habits and How to Beat Them Infographic

As much as technology and the internet have benefited us, they’ve also created some really bad habits. The 6 Bad Digital Habits and How to Beat Them Infographic presents the most common ones, and how you can kick them.

1. Bad Email Etiquette

Why it’s bad: If you work in an office, bad email etiquette – such as requesting read receipts, or ignoring emails completely – can frustrate your colleagues.

Did you know?

• ‘Ping-ponging’, or rapid replies to office emails, is the most annoying habit according to a Kingston University study (2011).
• Emailing out of hours isn’t helpful – try saving the message till the next day.

How to stop it

• Keep email content in sync with the subject line – making it easier to find later.
• Get to the point quickly – use separate emails for multiple requests.

2. Being Glued to Your Phone

Why it’s bad: Excessive phone use can lead to sleep disorders and depression.

Did you know?

• Over 20% of Americans believe their mobile usage causes marital conflict, according to a TIME study (2012).
• 17% of users check their phone at a meal regardless of company, according to the same study.

How to stop it

• Turn it off – if that’s too hard, stop using your phone or other gadgets in or before bed.
• Set up custom alert profiles – this phone feature vets your notifications to avoid needless distraction.

3. Obsessive Gaming

Why it’s bad: Like other stimulants, gaming – particularly online gaming – can be hugely addictive.

Did you know?

• 9% of children are addicted to gaming, according to an American Academy of Pediatrics study (2011).
• 46% of online gamers play Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGS), making it the most popular online gaming experience.

How to stop it

• Set time limits – modern consoles have password-protected controls to limit gaming time.
• Alternatively, try finding a walkthrough or cheats for the game online. That way, you’ll complete it quicker.

4. Social Media

Why it’s bad: If used wrong, it can be a huge waste of time. 121 billion minutes were used up on social media sites by Americans in July 2012!

Did you know?

• 40 minutes a day – the average time Americans spend on Facebook. That’s over 243 hours a year.
• 500m tweets are sent each day by Twitter’s 271 million active users.

How to stop it

• Delete or deactivate your accounts – or just let them drift off into obscurity by posting less often.
• Download StayFocused – this Chrome app cuts off access to time-wasting websites.

5. Pornography Addiction

Why it’s bad: It’s claimed that watching online porn can lead to issues with secrecy, depression, anxiety and relationship problems.

Did you know?

• 64-68% of young adult men view porn at least once a week
• 9% of porn viewers have tried unsuccessfully to stop.

How to stop it

• Consider joining Reddit’s ‘NoFap’ community – an online meeting place for people who abstain from porn.
• Alternatively, use internet filters as a deterrent from seeking out pornography.

6. Failing to Back up Data

Why it’s bad: Your computer and devices aren’t bulletproof. Malware, power surges, hardware failures and natural disasters can all leave you without your precious files.

Did you know?

• Only 23% of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) back up data daily.
• 50% of SMBs only start backing up data after a catastrophic loss.

How to stop it

• Create physical backups – copy all of your music, videos, documents and pictures on to a hard disk.
• Alternatively, back up all your devices on an online storage ‘cloud’.

Whether you’re a gaming addict or glued to your phone, don’t let bad habits take over your life. Follow these tips and you can end your digital-dependence.