I love the internet probably more than most people. Most of my days are spent on Tumblr, or watching Netflix online. Ever since I was a little kid my parents have regulated me and my sisters’ Internet time and it still happens today even during my first summer home from College. When I was a kid my parents found this program called KidsWatch that they put on the family computer when I was about 8 or 9 and then put it on my laptop when I became a teenager. Thankfully when I turned 18 they took it off my laptop, but not Disney released Circle which is an Internet regulating device that makes my parents oh so happy. So I now have regulated computer time at my house, but luckily I have learned a few lessons on how to make it work for a person who is dependent on the internet (me).
1. Conserve what Internet time you can
Circle regulates my Internet time on my phone and on my computer so what I’ve learned to do is just shut off the WiFi on both so I’m not wasting time. An even better idea is to split your internet time into chunks so maybe you use social media for 1 hour and watch Netflix for two hours. That way you won’t worry about wasting any time and you’ll have even more time to do things online.
2. Find ways to use electronics without Internet
Whether you use iTunes to watch movies or play an Xbox offline, find ways to use different electronics without Internet. iTunes is a great way to store movies, music, and TV shows to watch offline. I also like to play video games so I have Steam on my computer and all of my games downloaded on my laptop so that I can play Skyrim when I run out of Internet time. Read a book on your Kindle, play video games on a laptop or console, or watch DVDs on your laptop, their are so many different ways to get yourself entertained with electronics when you’re offline, Trust me.
3. Use public WiFi or a friend’s WiFi when you can
Always, always use public WiFi that’s free no matter what. Whether you’re at a coffee shop or McDonald’s it’s always helpful to have unregulated WiFi for only a short time, than have no WiFi at all. Even if you’re constantly at your best friend’s house and you have their WiFi code use that to your advantage. Free, unregulated WiFi is better than regulated WiFi any day.
4. Get apps on your phone you can use offline
This goes along with my second tip but this will save your life, especially if you’re like me and have your phone with you always. Download different music onto your phone or free books using the Kindle or iBooks app. There are so many free game options that let you play without Internet like Candy Crush or Temple Run. I always like to keep a few reading and game apps handy on my phone especially when I know I will be in a situation without WiFi. Even though this is very similar to tip #2, this will help.
5. Don’t argue with your parents on why they regulate your Internet
You may be a college or high school student and be thinking, “This totally sucks. I am an adult and I deserve the freedom of having unregulated Internet.” Don’t make that argument with your parents because I have tried and trust me it doesn't work. Negotiating however, may be a viable option. My parents were generous in giving me 4 hours of Internet per day and while I wish I had unregulated Internet, I have learned how to live with it. Negotiating with your parents on how many hours of Internet you get may work or they may be set in their ways and won’t budge. Figure out what would work best with your parents and work from there. You will survive this.
I have had to live with regulated Internet for most of my life and while it sucks, I have learned how to deal with the situation I’m in. I am thankful that my parents feed and house me, but having regulated internet is just one of their rules that I have to live by, and that’s OK. When you get placed in a new situation, over years you learn how to adapt to that situation, just like I have. Looking on the bright side, you’ll be back on campus in just a few short months with unregulated WiFi, so it’s only a small price to pay.
