The modern woman's guide to safe online entertainment options

Collaborative Post | As you grow older, your taste in entertainment, like in many areas of your life, tends to change but there is always a variety of options for the modern woman in her 50s or older. They range from online gambling, and streaming services, to ebooks and audiobooks. These are just the digital options. For offline options, you can go from physical activities to hobbies such as gardening and crafting. Whatever rocks your boat. 

Focusing on online entertainment options, there are some key factors you should know about being online. As women, security is always at the forefront of our minds. Just because we’re safe at home doesn't mean we’re safe online. The moment you connect your device to the internet you are at risk of phishing attacks and other cyberattacks. So what are the safe options out there and what measures can you take to protect yourself?

​Author: Sadie Smith

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Online gambling

Online gambling is a common entertainment for women of all ages. I mean you get to play both classic casino games and modern ones, and hopefully get rewarded for doing so. For some, this has even become a source of passive income but I don’t recommend it. At this stage in our lives, we should be taking less financial risks, not more. Gambling does involve investing your money and literally gambling it away. You either get returns on your investment or lose it. It's that simple. But if you consider it a source of entertainment, then you will surely get returns in the form of instant gratification and fun. 

As you may have heard, the UK has some of the strictest gambling laws in the world, thanks to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). But that is a good thing because it aims to protect players like me and you from irresponsible gambling, and from unfair gaming practices by operators. One of the measures it has put in is an initiative called the gamStop program, introduced back in 2018. The program allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling in UK casinos for a period of up to five years after which they can choose to extend it or resume playing. This program is not for everyone though. Some players go for it and then change their minds halfway through their exclusion period. For such players, one way around it is to visit offshore sites offering unrestricted gaming – best non-gamStop casinos are those that operate outside the UK’s jurisdiction in places like Malta. 

These types of casinos are renowned for their generous welcome bonuses, multiple free spins, and enticing promotions all in an effort to attract and retain UK players. And it works since every year more and more non-gamStop casinos are registered with the Malta Gaming Authority. They also offer a wide range of games to cater to gamers of all kinds, from classic table games to live dealer games. 

However, before you consider these options, you should know the risks involved. One, they may have lower security standards since they do not have to abide by the UK’s high standards. Two, the responsibility to play in moderation is entirely up to you since gamStop does not extend to them. Three, there may be legal implications if it turns out that the casino is not legitimate even in Malta or wherever it is operating from.  

If you do decide to go ahead with them, here are my suggestions for safe engagement. Make sure you do a thorough research online. Look up the casino’s licensing, is it valid? Look for pending or concluded legal cases they might be involved in. In the UK, for example, you can find this information on the UKGC’s regulatory action page. 

Next, you want to make sure they offer secure payment options. If they accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, that is a green flag. Cryptocurrencies provide high-security payment processing and anonymity, this way, you don't have to provide your personal data and be at risk of it being stolen or leaked. 

To maintain responsible gambling, you will have to set a personal limit for both financial amount and gaming time. I highly recommend this, ladies. Lastly, stay informed. Just because they check out now does not mean they are immune. To be safe, set a Google alert with the casino name so that anytime it is mentioned in the news, you will alerted immediately. Better to be safe than sorry. 

Streaming services and digital media

I don’t have to say much about this as many of you probably already indulge here. The likes of Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime dominate this sector. Netflix, in particular, is now synonymous with streaming services. Recently, it crossed 2 billion views, thanks to some of its hit movies and shows. Whether you’re planning a lazy day, having a movie night with the family, or want a solo night rewatching Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman from the classics archive, streaming is the way to go. The cinema no longer does it for people like us. They’re too loud and unsanitary, and you never know when you have to deal with a rude audience. Besides, they only show trendy movies. 

While these services are generally safe, I would recommend the following; always monitor your subscriptions. I’m not saying they do this deliberately but sometimes, you may notice an unnecessary charge. Maybe someone upgraded your package or maybe you meant to cancel and forgot, whatever it is, keep an eye on the bill when it comes in your email. 

Also, beware of phishing attacks. This is when hackers pose as legitimate agents of your streaming service and ask you to log in to verify your account or something similar. Since they know that you are smart enough not to give them your login details, they may try to get you to use fake sites with URLs that look almost exactly like the original site. To avoid this, always use the official site and email address for all forms of communication and payment processing. And of course, make sure you have a strong password that you change once in a while, even if it means writing it down somewhere, especially if you are sharing the account with a dear friend or a loved one. You don't know what security measures they have going on. Besides, platforms like Netflix are cracking down on password-sharing. 

Balancing online and offline activities

Online entertainment is easy and convenient. With just a few taps on your device, you’re plugged in. However, I have to recommend that you strike a balance between online and offline activities. As engrossing as your online entertainment is, set a limit to how much time you spend on it daily. Then take a break and engage in offline activities. Do whatever hobby you enjoy whether it is reading a physical book, making arts and crafts, or gardening around the house. You can even listen to audiobooks while at it. These breaks make online entertainment even more enjoyable when you return to them.  


Disclaimer:  this is a collaborative post