How to Ditch the Mindless Scroll and Have Fun on the Internet Instead

Have you ever spent your entire afternoon on your phone, mindlessly scrolling across different social media apps — from news and memes on Facebook to food and dogs on Instagram to endless dancing and influencers on TikTok? 

Everyone is guilty of mindlessly scrolling the internet, whether hanging out on social media apps and viewing profiles, watching online videos, or playing games. Unfortunately, this bad habit wastes countless hours each week. Half an hour of mindless browsing a day results in 3.5 lost hours a week and 15 hours lost in a month. It’s an addictive habit, but it’s something we can’t seem to let go of in just a quick snap of a finger — or more fittingly, by just putting our phones down.

That’s a lot of time you could use for something more productive. Although you need downtime from F2F (face-to-face) classes or an online learning setup, it’s better to use your time online doing fun things that truly help you relax and contribute to your growth. It’s time to empower yourself and curb mindless internet browsing. Check out some ways to have fun on the internet instead.

Read Some More!

And we didn’t mean this as just reading captions off random posts. Instead of stalking your friends’ FB profiles, why not try reading some online literature? Turn scrolling into learning, there are a lot of available resources online surrounding any of your interests. For fiction, you can turn to apps like Wattpad and even essays online, then for non-fiction, there are always blogs, essays, and different articles – just like this one! Numerous sites offer free ebook downloads. You can also find free sites that host online novels. With so many choices, you’ll find genres you enjoy, whether it’s romance, science fiction, mystery, and action. Even reading cute mangas count!

Reading is on top of the list because choosing enjoyable materials can help you relax. At the same time, it’s a terrific brain exercise because you’re getting an education while having fun. You’ll learn new ideas and perspectives from varied content. Without knowing it, you’ll also strengthen your vocabulary and get an indirect lesson on subject-verb agreement, syntax, punctuation, and the like.

Enjoy a Fun Night Streaming Movies

Instead of watching short online videos on TikTok, YT Shorts, or IG Reels, host a fun movie night with your family and friends. Watching longer movies with people you love is a great bonding experience. You can do this physically in your living room with popcorn, candies, and soda.

Alternatively, you can also host an online watch party. You can set a date and watch with your friends from your respective homes. For example, Netflix Party allows you to watch the same show while providing a platform where you can give commentary on the chat box by the side. It’s a more meaningful way to spend the night instead of mindlessly surfing the web.

Play Multiplayer Games With Loved Ones

Gone are the days where we’d just spend time playing Farmville and Pet Society with our friends… or are they? The internet has once again proven that it’s a fun space with a lot of new and more advanced online multiplayer games popping up, especially during the pandemic when we couldn’t see our friends and social distancing was such a must. Games like Skribbl.io seeing each other’s funny drawings, Werewolf guessing who’s who, and even just simple trivia games can keep us not only connected, but as well as entertained.

If you want some more action, enlist your parents and siblings to join your favorite games like Mobile Legends or Valorant. Playing together is a chance for them to get to know you more. Planning strategies to defeat enemies is also a great bonding experience. 

Do Online Workouts to Boost Holistic Health

Many edtech experts suggest physical movement at least thirty minutes thrice a week for your holistic health. Everyone knows that working out improves heart health, but it could also help you destress and boost your mood by releasing endorphins or happy hormones. Now, there are many online workouts on YouTube. You can find different varieties like:

• Zumba
• Walking
• Cardio Kickboxing
• HIIT
• Yoga
• Weights
• Bodyweight Circuit

You can do it online solo or set a workout date with a friend and do it together via Zoom/Google Meet. Many startup companies also made apps for working out, making it convenient for you to get physical movement anytime, anywhere.

Join an Online Community

If you want to be productive on the internet, join an online community that aligns with your hobbies. Online communities create an avenue where you can connect and interact with like-minded individuals. Becoming a member will allow you to learn more about your passions. It’s also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people who enjoy the same activities. You’ll be in the company of experts who can share insights and help you learn new perspectives. Exchange conversations on whatever piques both of your interests. 

Some popular examples that boomed over the pandemic are Reddit and Discord, platforms where people can gather, dive right into any topic under the sun, or just simply learn more about their shared interests from one another. 

Remember, even when you think you’ve figured out your hobby, there’s always something new to learn. You can take the lessons and be more productive offline too. Moreover, you can also share what you know. It feels very rewarding to assist other people in their growth, so you will feel more fulfilled.

Find Online Side Hustles to Augment Income

Finally, turn your mindless scrolling habit into a money-making habit instead. A popular Gen Z side hustle-slash-career today is none other than being an influencer. There’s no hurt in trying, you can simply post on your social media consistently and share your interests. This can help build your personal brand, target niche audiences, and be able to partner with known brands! For more BTS work, writing, graphic design, photography, and other freelance opportunities are in-demand with jobseekers posting on Facebook and Instagram.

Even if you don’t feel like being an online celebrity, you use the world wide web to find online side hustles that could augment your income. Many online job boards post jobs in various niches, from graphic design to content writing. You can find one that aligns with your skills and earn money online.

The internet isn’t just a giant scroll-fest; it’s a playground of possibilities waiting for us to hit the ‘play’ button. So, why settle for the zombie mode of endless scrolling when you can turn your screen time into showtime? Dive into the depths of online reading, chat up a storm in digital communities, get your game on with friends, or channel your inner mogul by turning your passions into profits. It’s all about making your online hours less about mindlessly swiping and more about swiping right on activities that spark joy and creativity. Remember, the internet is like a buffet – why stick to the appetizers when you can feast on the whole spread? Let’s make our digital footprint count, one fun click at a time!