How Much Time Do You Spend Online?

[Scarim Coral]

Considering that I prefered to be on here (as in surfing the net) than spending time online, yeah I spend ALOT of time online! Granted the time spent online is shorten when I'm in work.

I suppose it's good that I'm not online 24/7 since I hardly go online when I haven't got the pc with me but I got my phone (in saying so I on pay as you go) like e.g. going out shopping and got the phone with me.

 

[KissingSunlight]

It's not about how much time you spend online, it's about what you do online, or offline. I would say I probably spend the majority of my day online, but a lot of that is either at work where I use a computer, or taking online classes.

Also, smartphone zombies? Just because someone's attention isn't focused on their immediate physical surroundings, that doesn't mean they aren't using their brain. Perhaps the person is using their smartphone to discuss possible solutions to conflicts in the Middle-East. Who are you to judge someone, if you don't even know what they're doing?

This video took me less than a minute to find.


I am referring to people who should be paying attention to their immediate surroundings instead of trying solve the problems in the Middle East on their phones.

 

[Olas]

It's not about how much time you spend online, it's about what you do online, or offline. I would say I probably spend the majority of my day online, but a lot of that is either at work where I use a computer, or taking online classes.

Also, smartphone zombies? Just because someone's attention isn't focused on their immediate physical surroundings, that doesn't mean they aren't using their brain. Perhaps the person is using their smartphone to discuss possible solutions to conflicts in the Middle-East. Who are you to judge someone, if you don't even know what they're doing?

This video took me less than a minute to find.

Okay? Congratulations I guess? I can find videos on Youtube very quickly too!

I am referring to people who should be paying attention to their immediate surroundings instead of trying solve the problems in the Middle East on their phones.

Well obviously being distracted while trying to walk, or drive, or do anything where you're in possible harm's way, is a stupid idea. You won't find any disagreement from me there. But that's just as true of reading books as it is of using a smartphone. Are you against people reading books? We can call them Book-zombies.

I'm also saying this as someone who doesn't own a smartphone, and who doesn't use Facebook, Twitter, or really any form of social media.

 

[Story]

Way too much to the point where I think I might have an addiction.

 

[KissingSunlight]

snip

I don't know why you trying to be argumentative. First, saying that "it only took seconds to find" means that the subject that you were looking for is really popular. I have tried find things on search engines that took me a long time to find.

If people are reading books & walking, driving, etc. and not paying attention to where they are going; then, yes, I would call them "Book Zombies". That doesn't happen often enough to call people out on it. Seriously, how long would it take to find a video montage of people running into things while reading a book? I'm guessing a lot longer than it takes to find a video of people doing that with smart phones.

 

[keniakittykat]

Too damn much, probably...

 

[keniakittykat]

Every single waking moment I can get away with I spend online. I've got no friends in meat space, nor am I likely to meet anyone with similar hobbies as me anywhere near where I live.

Ugh, tell me about it. Ever since I moved out of the country to move in with my boyfriend, my social life has completely flatlined on me... And it doesn't help that I live in the most white bread suburbs where only snobs who like quiet nights and families live, with no nerds in sight.
The friendliest person I know here is the guy next door, but he's constantly in and out of the hospital because of his muscular distrophy and he's a bit of an awkward hermit. So I'm not sure he even counts as a friend.

 

[Evil Smurf]

Every waking minute is spent online, yay?

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Way too much. In fact, I'm going to bed right now. Nighty night.

 

[Phasmal]

Waaaaaay too much.

I have a whole week off of work now (yessssssss), so I'm gonna be online like soooooooo much.
I tend not to look at my phone while I am out though, unless I am waiting for a bus or on my break at work, because I can't use my phone and walk at the same time. I'm already hard of hearing, staring at a phone while walking is pretty much just asking to get hit by a bike/car around here.

 

[DocJ]

More than I should. Minimum of eight hours to anywhere above fifteen when I have the time. I just have lots to do online. Whether it be play games, chat to friends, watch things on Netflix, watch things on Youtube, research school stuff...I could go on. All I know is I because I spend so much time in front of my computer, I should probably buy a better chair.

 

[Olas]

snip

I don't know why you trying to be argumentative.

I disagree with your implied assertion on the detrimental effects of internet and smartphone usage, and am thus arguing against it. Did you not want anyone in the thread to disagree with you?

If I come across as salty, it's because your comments struck me as condescending, as in 'look at all these dumb bozos who so absorbed in their phones they run into stuff'.

I don't like to judge people I don't know based of what they do in 3 seconds of a youtube video, and I find it particularly obnoxious to call people "zombies" just because they choose to spend their free time using a certain device that you don't seem to care for.

First, saying that "it only took seconds to find" means that the subject that you were looking for is really popular. I have tried find things on search engines that took me a long time to find.

Yes, videos of people falling down and getting hurt tend to be popular. And it's also easy to compile separate footage into a short compilation to make something seem more frequent than it is in reality.

This only took a few seconds to find.


Anyway, I wasn't making the case that people never get hurt from being distracted while using phones, or even that people shouldn't pay attention to their surroundings during the less-than 1% of their day that they spend walking around an unfamiliar area. My point is that smartphones aren't the problem, not looking where you're going is the problem. Most people who use phones know when to put them away.

If people are reading books & walking, driving, etc. and not paying attention to where they are going; then, yes, I would call them "Book Zombies". That doesn't happen often enough to call people out on it. Seriously, how long would it take to find a video montage of people running into things while reading a book? I'm guessing a lot longer than it takes to find a video of people doing that with smart phones.

Ya, probably, but I don't see how that makes it any better. If anything reading a book is probably more distracting since it's a longer and deeper engagement.

Anyway, if your only point was that people should avoid distractions while engaged in other, more important activities, then we're in agreement. It just seems like one of the least audacious points you could make.

 

[Artina89]

I can't quantify it, but I do spend most of my free time online. It's pretty much my main form of entertainment these days, especially as there never seems to be anything decent on TV.

 

[KissingSunlight]

snip

The reason I did state, "I don't know why you trying to be argumentative." is that we agree on what I meant by smart phone zombie. Smart phone zombie = people who are not paying attention to their surrounding, because they are focusing on their phones instead.

I'm not judging people on a 3 second video clip. I work at a heavy walk traffic area. Majority of people that walks by have their eyes glued to their phones and not looking where they are walking. They are constantly running into people and things. They are essentially stumbling around like you would imagine a zombie would. I wasn't commenting on their intelligence. Even though, now that you mentioned it, it is pretty stupid not being able to leave your phone alone. When you should be paying attention to what is going on around you. That behavior does demonstrate detrimental effects of internet and smartphone usage. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

Honestly, for this thread, I was looking for a fun, light discussion of how people balance their life with their internet usage. My OP was meant to be noncontroversial and silly. Not to have any reason why anyone would have a reason to strongly disagree with anything I said in it. I guess people can find something to disagree with you no matter what you say.

 

[Dizchu]

Most of the day to be honest. It's my primary means of acquiring information, social interaction, entertainment, uhh... y'know... other th...things...

Seriously though, an internet connection to me is almost as important as having electricity. It's access to a worldwide network of services, most of which are free to use (beyond the payment to the internet provider). Why would I not want access to it as much as possible? Even when socially interacting, it's a good tool to provide entertainment and information to others.

If i'm not playing games, i'll be watching some shit on Youtube. I'll show you what I mean.

Jesus Christ, I thought I'd never see Baby Face Crotch Cannon ever again. Oh dear.

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

Way too much time. Studying, researching, skype, WoD sessions .... watching tv, playing chess online with an old uni friend. I would say that I spend a good 10 hours a day online. And even then, I'm in conference online calls with various lectures at multiple campuses, using online sources, prepping cloud files for powerpoint presentations. So even at uni I'm spending most of my time online.