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For most Brits, not a day can go by without a quick—or not-so-quick—stop at their favorite social platform. Whether they use it to keep in touch with loved ones or post trendy picks, platforms like Instagram and Facebook have become an irreplaceable part of an average Briton’s daily life. As handy as they can be, social media platforms can turn from a blessing to a curse really quickly. Take a look at a few reasons why you might want to invest the time you spend on social platforms somewhere else.

#1. Social media can be a source of frustrations

How many times have you seen influencers say you shouldn’t compare your life to someone’s highlight reels? Whether they meant it or used it as bait for viewers isn’t up for debate here, as the statement is completely true, no matter the intention behind it.

It’s not every day that people post about the bad things that are happening in their lives, especially on Instagram. And while everyone is competing to have the most aesthetic profile, regular people are left feeling bad about themselves. It’s not uncommon for people to start having self-esteem problems after feeling pangs of jealousy when seeing other people’s luxurious getaways displayed while they are stuck at a nine-to-five job.

The solution? Redirecting your attention elsewhere. It’s a good idea to take up a hobby and use the time you would spend scrolling on something more productive. Whether you want to socialize by taking up group Spanish lessons or download another app that will keep you occupied, like the ones that online casinos have, the goal is to do something else with your time.

You have many options, as is best seen in the case of online casinos. You can choose between fiat currency or crypto gambling, UK non-GamStop gambling or GamStop casinos, slots, or table games – you get the gist. Make up your mind and you’ll be one step closer to letting go of the habit of comparing yourself to others.

#2. It fosters unhealthy behavior and addiction

We’ve all been warned how addictive opiates and alcohol can be, but the new era has produced one other form of addiction that can impact any person of any age – social media. The phenomenon is even being researched by the University of Bergen in Norway, which has created a Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS). The goal of their research is to assess the feelings and habits of participants in relation to social media.

It’s been assessed that approximately 210 million people worldwide suffer from social media addiction. Therefore, it’s best to either use these platforms in moderation or delete them altogether if you believe you can’t limit yourself to a reasonable amount of time per day.

#3. There’s very little to learn from social media

You’d think you would be becoming a lot smarter considering how much time you spend scrolling, but the action might actually have the opposite effect. Social media platforms usually aren’t the right place for learning new things and becoming inspired and enlightened – it’s simply not the type of content that drives engagement, which is why it gets put on the back burner.

If you want to invest your time in personal growth and improvement, it would be much better to leave your phone at home and suit up for a black-tie gala event or attend a poetry reading night at your local bar or coffee shop.

#4. You can encounter privacy issues

Users oftentimes forget that social media platforms keep score of everything you do. Every like, every message, every interaction – it’s all being recorded somewhere. Companies collect these valuable pieces of information, after which they sell them to other companies and advertisers, leaving your personal information handed to third parties.

If that alone isn’t enough for you to stop using social media, you should also think about how many accounts get hacked every single day. To put things into perspective, know that, on average, 1.4 billion accounts are hacked every month.

What should you do?

Social media platforms can be a powerful tool when used correctly. But to use it in the right way, you have to ensure they serve their original purpose, which is to help you connect with loved ones and have fun.

Moderation is key here, so reconsider your presence on social media platforms if you notice you are spending too much time on them. Likewise, if you start harboring any negative feelings after a scrolling session, it’s time to kiss your virtual friends goodbye.

Unfortunately, getting a reliable signal on the Isle of Wight can sometimes feel like searching for Wi-Fi in a cave—a boring challenge, especially if you’re on a call, working, or gaming.

Since that can quickly become a real problem, we’ve tested all available network providers to find out which one you can actually rely on.

While some areas, especially near towns like Newport or Ryde, offer fairly strong coverage, others—especially those rural spots—often leave you staring at a frustrating “no service” icon.

Your best choice really comes down to location and what you need—calls or data. Vodafone might be the top pick in some areas, but coverage isn’t guaranteed just because you’re in a busy spot.

Don’t Tell Me It’s the 21st Century

Sorry to say it, but it’s a shame, really. You’d think by now, that staying connected wouldn’t be a struggle, but here we are—still dealing with dead zones and unreliable signals.

If you’re working remotely, good luck keeping up when calls drop mid-sentence and emails refuse to send.

And if you’re visiting? Then losing signal at the wrong moment can leave you stranded—like Sting, sending out an SOS and hoping someone hears it.

Of course, reliable phone coverage doesn’t only impact communication. We love to game online, but let’s be honest—downloading updates on platforms like Steam or Epic Games can feel like waiting for a message from space.

One hour passes. Then another. And another. And somehow, you’re still at 12%.

And when real money is on the table, things slow down in ways you can’t afford. Whether you’re spinning slots or playing poker on non-Gamstop casinos, the connection needs to hold. While these casinos accept Gamstop gamblers, offer great bonuses, and boast a wide selection of games, none of these benefits matter when you have a weak signal.

A single drop at the wrong moment? Bet gone, hand wasted, winnings out of reach. Not because of skill or strategy, but because the signal couldn’t keep up.

With all that in mind, choosing the right mobile network makes all the difference. So, we tested them all to see which one actually delivers.

Surviving the Isle of Wight

We’ve covered Vodafone, EE, O2, and Three, so you don’t have to.

As said above, Vodafone is good for voice calls, especially in towns like Newport and Ryde. It works for those who prioritize calling over mobile data.

But if you stream, game, or download frequently, the slower speeds might be frustrating. It’s fair to say that this is a great option for old-school users who just want reliable calls.

EE shines with superior data speeds, providing excellent connectivity for streaming and fast downloads, especially in urban areas such as Newport and Ryde. The downside is its signal quickly weakens as you move towards rural or less populated regions, making coverage less reliable away from town centres.

Much like EE, Three is a solid choice for younger users who rely on the internet. However, while its data performance is solid, voice coverage isn’t always dependable. In some areas, making a clear phone call can be a real challenge.

And then there’s O2, which takes a more balanced approach but doesn’t lead in either call quality or data speed. It works fine in towns but struggles outside them.

If you rarely leave populated areas, it’s a reasonable choice. But if you travel across this beautiful island, you may run into coverage gaps.

How Your Location on the Island Affects Signal Strength

One essential factor that often gets overlooked is exactly where on the island you’re located. Towns like Ryde, Cowes, and Newport generally have good coverage across all providers, thanks to stronger infrastructure.

However, as you move away from network towers into smaller towns or rural areas, coverage can become unreliable or even disappear completely. That’s why both locals and visitors need to think about where they spend most of their time before choosing a provider.

For those who live in or frequently visit remote areas, opting for a network with stronger rural coverage is more important than just focusing on speed.

Vodafone has acknowledged these challenges and suggests that satellites could end UK phone ‘not spots’ in the future, offering hope for much better coverage.

Get More Bars

Even if your chosen provider struggles in certain areas, there are still things you can do to improve your mobile connection. Some might seem stupid, but they actually work.

Stepping outside, moving to higher ground, or toggling airplane mode can force your phone to reconnect to a stronger tower. Thick walls, metal structures, and even bulky phone cases can weaken reception without you realizing it.

And sometimes, just shifting a few feet in the right direction makes all the miracles you need!

The government has plans to improve weaker signals in remote areas, but until that happens, finding small ways to boost your connection is still your best bet.

Knowing these tricks can save you from frustration, whether you’re making an important call or trying to load a page that just won’t open.