A recent study conducted by Ratemycasino.ca (RMC) has uncovered a striking revelation: Canadians spend as much as 13 years of their lives online. This study, which looked at people aged 16 to 64, aimed to get a closer look at how much time Canadians spend online and what they do there.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Internet addiction disorder is when people use the Internet so much that it starts to mess up their daily lives. It can take many forms, like being addicted to gaming, online relationships, or constantly seeking information.
A survey in 2022 found that Canadians in the aforementioned age group spend about 6.5 hours a day on social media, online gaming, and other digital activities. Social media, especially Facebook, eats up more than 2 hours each day. There was also a noticeable 14% increase in gaming time in 2021 compared to 2020.
To put it in perspective, Ratemycasino.ca imagined what would happen if an average Canadian kept using the Internet until they reached the projected life expectancy of 83. The outcome is nothing short of astonishing: it unravels as an 18-year digital odyssey. This statistic highlights just how much the Internet affects our lives and makes us question our digital habits.
To put a human face on these statistics, Ratemycasino.ca introduced Robert from Toronto. Robert is just like any of us. He loves watching YouTube, playing games, and surfing the web before bedtime. But as time goes on, he becomes more and more immersed in the digital world. He stops going out, he becomes more irritated and depressed. Eventually, the real world stops having any appeal to him.
To avoid becoming addicted the way Robert did, Ratemycasino.ca has some simple advice:
- Restrict your time on the Internet
- Cultivate healthy hobbies
- Spend quality time with the loved ones
- Prioritize your responsibilities and commitments
As part of the mission to encourage a balanced approach to the digital world, Ratemycasino.ca offers a brief assessment tool. This calculator helps to see how your Internet use compares to other Canadians. It’s a great way to become more aware of your habits and think about how the Internet fits into your life.