Saturday 2024-07-27
When I go traveling, the only "computer" I bring with me is my phone. This choice positively influences my internet usage up to a couple days after I return home from the trip.
The effect it has is this: I don't watch YouTube while traveling. I don't have tons of open tabs of things which piqued my interest. In short, my internet usage decreases drastically when traveling. This is despite an increase in screen time, which comes from reading more.
Why is this the case? I believe it's because the mobile internet experience is bad. It's bad because of screen size and input methods.
The small screens of phones make it hard to display much content. When using YouTube on a desktop computer, it is possible to watch a YouTube video while seeing video recommendations and comments. On the phone, you are reduced to either watching the video in full screen mode or making the video tiny in order to see recommendations and comments. These recommendations and comments are some of the main ways YouTube keeps users on their site. Because it is harder to see recommendations and comments, it is harder to get addicted to YouTube (and most other addicting sites for that matter) when using it on the phone.
The main input method on phones is touch, which is not optimal for websites rendered on small screens. Using YouTube as an example again, you have to tap the video twice in order to pause it, and trying to go forwards or backwards on the video timeline also feels clunky. Not to mention that touch is a very ambiguous input method; did your tap register as a left click, a right click, a scroll, a click and drag... it's very easy for your taps to be misinterpreted. Compare this to the desktop computer. You can pause and unpause a YouTube video just by clicking on it. Scrolling through the timeline is much more accurate than on a phone. You also have the option of using the keyboard; space bar, arrow keys, jkl, etc. You have distinct buttons for left click, right click, and scroll. Your inputs are far less likely to be misintepreted on the computer. Since it is such a hassle to use the internet on the phone, you are less likely to associate it with enjoyment, therefore limiting the likelihood of you being sucked in.
Of course, there are valid reasons to improve the mobile internet experience. Those who do not have the resources to have a laptop or desktop may be stuck with a touchscreen device. Using such devices to access important sites like bank accounts, utilities, paying bills, and the like are areas where the mobile internet experience should be improved.