Netflix has been the go-to streaming service for most people in the US. With its password-sharing feature, many users have enjoyed streaming movies and TV shows without paying a single penny. However, this year, Netflix came up with a new set of policies that require each user to pay for the service. Besides, it has restricted access to people living in a location that differs from that of the account holder. All these factors have enabled thousands of people across the world to quit Netflix and switch to TV and internet packages. So, if you are skeptical about giving up your Netflix subscription, this article will enlighten you about all the downsides of using Netflix and why you should consider canceling your Netflix account.
Why You Should Leave Netflix
Disturbed Sleep Schedule
Watching Netflix continuously can turn into addiction at the expense of your sleep! With the autoplay feature enabled on your Netflix account, it will stream episode after episode, which can keep you from falling asleep at night. Besides, the thrill of watching the next episode can affect your quality of sleep, leaving you tired and sleep-deprived throughout the day.
A disrupted sleep cycle is not as harmless as you may believe it to be. In fact, it can lead to several cognitive impairments and mental illnesses, such as depression. So, don’t let Netflix take over your mental health.
Triggering Content
With new seasons launching on Netflix now and then, it can be very exciting for entertainment lovers of all ages. However, many people tend to underestimate the risk of trauma that comes with watching triggering content. Most popular movies and TV shows contain violence, sex, and even pornography at times. While you may not notice, such explicit content can mess up your mind in many ways.
Some people enjoy watching dark and grotesque movies, whereas others may find them depressing or disturbing. Besides, many teens and young adults tend to watch such content out of peer pressure, without realizing the harmful impact on their minds. Therefore, we recommend you quit the habit of binge-watching just any popular show or movie on Netflix, as it could take a toll on your emotional wellbeing.
Pricey
With time, more and more people are canceling their Netflix subscription because of its hefty monthly charges. Even the basic plan starts from $9.99 per month, which is quite expensive for students and people with a low income. Besides, it doesn’t let you stream movies and TV shows in higher video quality, including HD and UHD without signing up for its pricier plans. The standard plan is priced at $15.49 per month, whereas the premium plan starts from $19.99 per month. In addition, apart from monthly subscription charges, it may impose additional taxes, depending on your location.
On the other hand, other streaming services, such as Peacock and Hulu are available at much lesser rates, allowing access to thousands of movies and TV shows, regardless of your location. You can see how the rest of the streaming platforms charge much lower than Netflix:
| Streaming Platform | Standard Charges | Premium Charges |
| Netflix | $15.49 per month | $19.99 per month |
| Hulu | $6.99 per month | N/A |
| HBO Max | $14.99 per month (without ads) and $9.99 per month (with ads) | N/A |
| Peacock | N/A | $4.99 per month (Premium) and $9.99 per month (Premium Plus) |
| Disney Plus | $7.99 per month | N/A |
| Paramount Plus | $4.99 per month (with limited ads) | $9.99 per month |
| Prime Video | $8.99 per month and $14.99 per month (with an Amazon Prime membership) | N/A |
| Apple TV Plus | $4.99 per month | N/A |
As long as you are connected to HughesNet, you can stream movies and TV shows on any platform, without having to pay hefty subscription charges per month.
Unrealistic Expectations
Binge-watching can affect the way you think in real life as well. As you get hooked to the storyline and characters of your favorite TV show, there is a chance that you will end up comparing your real life to what you see on screen. As a result, your watching habits can influence your relationships with the people around you, as they don’t conform to the unrealistic expectations set by the videos you have seen on Netflix. Besides, you may end up feeling unfulfilling with your real life, leading to distorted beliefs about love and marriage. Such dysfunctional emotions end up as abusive behaviors and dissatisfaction with life.
Closing Thoughts
If you have noticed similar patterns in your life, then your best bet is to cancel your Netflix subscription at your earliest! Quit it before it takes a toll on your overall mental, emotional, and physical health. There is nothing more valuable than time! So, make sure that you put your time and energy into productive activities, instead of wasting them on binge-watching on Netflix. It will take some time, but getting rid of your Netflix addition will benefit you in so many ways that you can’t even imagine!