This Valentine’s Day Let Your Digital Life Take a Backseat
A couple of decades ago, Valentine’s Day was all about red roses, exchanging cards, dinner dates, hand-holding and whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears. Partners had no eyes for anyone else – their world consisted of just the two of them.
Have things changed in any way in the connected era? A study conducted by Intel Security in India shows it has; as love in the cyber age is facing competition from gadgets!
Take a moment to think – how many hours (not minutes) everyday do we spend on our phone? Yes, we need to take that call or check whether an expected mail has arrived or watch photos uploaded by friends. But it all means time away from real, face-to-face relationships. Intel Security recently commissioned an India study which reveals that digital lifestyle of Indians is getting in the way of their connected relationships.
Head over heels in love…. with tech?
The average Indian adult spends 43 percent of their time online at home, and only 40 percent of their time interacting face-to-face. Devices have become such an integral part of their lives that they continue to use them even when on a date! Many complained their partners seem to like their devices more than them!
Can’t take your eyes off… your device?
Even after the first date, cyber citizens do not keep the device away when they are with their partners. More than half the respondents complained that they had had to compete with their friend’s or partner’s device for attention and nearly 75 percent admitted getting into an argument with a friend or significant other over being on a device while together.
Give all your love…. And passwords too?
The survey reveals some startling facts about the level of sharing between couples today. Nearly 30 percent of couples share passwords of social media accounts, 28 percent share passwords of personal email accounts, and over 20 percent admitted to sharing their work specific devices and accounts with their significant other.
Oops! Oversharing is never a good thing- keep your digital life out of your real one.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you are can’t keep your device away when with a friend or partner, you are not doing it right. Take my advice and make time for that special person in your life. Balance is important. It’s a good idea to practice digital detox from time to time so that you learn to balance your digital life perfectly.
A few simple tips to keep the relation a ‘safe one’:
Love your partner but don’t make their name or L-O-V-E your password: Don’t make your password an easy guess. Passwords should preferably a mix of alphabets, special characters and numbers. If that seems complicated to you, go for a trusted password manager like the True Key app by Intel Security. It will not only store all your login credential safely but also enable multi-factor authentication on your devices and online accounts. Take advantage of it.
Give your heart this Valentine’s Day but not your data: Delete unnecessary personal information from your devices. Set auto lock using PIN, and use a security tool that will allow you to remotely lock or erase data if device gets misplaced.
Practice digital detox: On your date, show you care by keeping your device away. Focus on your partner and forget your device for the time being. See how your attention gets the smiles out. Remember, no sneak peeks at your phone screen- no, not even once!
Unchain your heart but not your device: Manage and safeguard your devices with comprehensive security software solutions like McAfee LiveSafe. Remember to protect your smartphone too.
It’s Valentine’s Day! Whether you celebrate with your partner, friends or family, give them the attention they deserve. And if it’s your special one you are spending your time with, let devices not play a spoilsport.
Here’s wishing all you dear readers a rosy and happy Valentine’s Day!
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