Endless streaming of series
Binge-watching isn’t all that unhealthy if we keep one thing in mind
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With Netflix and Co., binge-watching has also found its way here. An expert explains when endless streaming is not so bad and when it is very harmful.
In fact, we used to sit in front of the TV at a certain time every day or every week to watch our favorite series. In the age of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video and Co., this is hardly imaginable. Instead, we can see what we want and, above all, when we want it.
Due to the practically unlimited possibilities of series streaming, we no longer have an automatic end time. We can watch as many episodes as we want. Binge-watching has a permanent place in most people’s lives these days – but endless streaming isn’t always healthy.
Binge-watching: Control is the key
“Netflix is built on binge-watching,” explains Dr. Emil Steiner, assistant professor of journalism at Rowan University in Philadelphia, told Deutsche Welle. “It wants to differentiate its offering from television. The interesting thing is that viewers use the control that streaming platforms give them to consume as much as possible.”
The negative consequences of endless streaming for our health are manifold – our sleep in particular suffers from it, such as one study could prove. But is binge-viewing really unhealthy under all circumstances? It depends, explains Dr. Cutter. This has a lot to do with HOW we watch – psychologists make a distinction between “cringe-watching” and “feast-watching.”
Cringe-Watching vs. Feast-Watching: When endless streaming doesn’t damage our health (so badly).
In any case, what is known as cringe-watching is harmful – derived from the English term “to cringe” for “shudder, flinch, be ashamed”. This type of serial consumption usually happens alone, rather accidentally and, moreover, distracted. So we don’t look at it consciously, but are perhaps still busy with our smartphones on the side.
“We can predict that people will regret cringe-watching afterwards,” said Dr. Emile Steiner. “We have empirical data that shows that.” Cringe-watching usually leaves a bad feeling and is harmful to health in the long term.
So-called feast-watching has fewer negative consequences. The term is based on the English word “feast”, which means “festive meal” or “celebration”. The biggest difference lies in conscious consumption. We often plan watching a series in advance and look forward to it. Accordingly, we enjoy binge-watching more and consciously perceive what we see. Maybe we have even arranged to meet up with our partner or best friend to watch our favorite show. Here the risk of regretting the streaming afterwards is much lower.
But no matter how carefully or consciously we binge-watch our shows, we shouldn’t overdo it. Because if we exceed a certain time frame, it will definitely be harmful to our health. “As with any feast, if you eat too much, you feel out of control,” said Dr. Steiner. So binge-watching is about balancing the control given to the viewer like never before.
Sources used: Deutsche Welle, Spektrum.de