Online Activities That Blew Up During the Lockdowns

Not many things have shaken up the world quite as much as the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did the virus successfully bring many aspects of human life to a standstill but it also effectively shifted our perspectives of so many things. Even now as we continue the journey towards recovers, it is quite clear that something will never be the same again.

Many businesses that relied on retail venues suffered during the pandemic-induced lockdowns. As such, the focus shifted to other areas. The digital space became a refuge for both consumers and businesses. While services and activities that happened on the internet were already on an upward trend, the pandemic catalyzed their growth even further.

For many of us who were stuck at home, having options to keep us going was such a good thing. Let’s have a look at some of the online activities that kept us going during the lockdown.

Media streaming

Now, nearly everyone is subscribed to a streaming service of some kind these days. All of them offer unmatched entertainment to people who would rather chill at home. However, lots of people still loved the idea of going out and watching blockbuster movies on the big screen. During the lockdowns, this was not possible particularly because of the risks that were involved.

Streaming platforms proved to be quite a popular option for people who were stuck at home. To make it even better, many movie studios even opted to release some of their big-budget movies on these platforms. This gave viewers a chance to keep enjoying the stories without having to go to cinemas.

E-Learning

In-person learning offered a very distinctive feel that is hard to replicate in the digital space. However, what we have been able to achieve in the realm of online learning has been nothing short of impressive. Instead of going to classes, most learners, young and old, opted for online lessons. One of the most reliable and high-quality online courses for Australians in particular is the website courses.com.au.

Thanks to advanced conferencing tools ranging from Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, learning online got the biggest boost ever. Learners and their instructors now have innovative ways of collaborating to achieve desired learning goals. There is, of course, some room for improvement but we should have to wait too long before we saw even more innovation in the world of e-learning.

The increased focus on VR, AR and even the Metaverse presents a unique opportunity to advance the sector to greater heights.

Online casino games

Gamblers do love their casino games and when the lockdowns came, it was a big blow as many retail casino venues had to close their doors. With no other option available, these casino enthusiasts turned to the rapidly growing online gambling sector. That subsequently resulted in a massive surge in online gambling traffic.

A great example of this is the impressive numbers that many online poker sites recorded after the lockdowns began. On Top 10 Poker Sites you’ll find more info about the best online poker rooms out there.

Online slots, as well as other casino card games, also turned out to be popular attractions for gamblers across the United States. The number of operators offering different kinds of perks and incentives to customers also increased.

Some gamers were able to get the best of experiences thanks to live gaming offerings in some casinos. This gave the closest feeling to being on the floors of an actual casino. The players could interact with both the dealer as well as their opponents. Other innovative additions such as blockchain and crypto also ballooned in popularity. These mainly offered easier and faster ways for players to fund their accounts and withdraw their winnings.

Even now as land-based casinos reopen their doors, online casinos continued to thrive. Retail casinos seem to be here to stay for the foreseeable future and so are online casinos.

Esports and esports betting

The sporting sector was another one that suffered a huge blow thanks to the pandemic-induced lockdowns. All hope was not lost though. Competitive video gaming, otherwise known as eSports, was already a global phenomenon. It was not long before even more people discovered that they were a viable alternative to regular sporting activities.

Eventually, even real-life athletes started playing these video games and streaming the action to millions of fans across the globe. Moreover, there were even full-fledged tournaments and leagues with generous sponsors, massive global spectatorship, and mind-blowing prizes.

Considering how lucrative the sector proved to be, esports betting was already picking up momentum. Today, even some of the most recognizable online sports betting brands now allow their customers to be on esports games and tournaments.

Which one is best for you?

Well, the world is your oyster. During a lockdown, there is pretty much nothing to hold you back from turning the situation into a fun experience for you and your family or friends. Hopefully, things return to normal. Even then, you can pursue these online activities whenever you get some free time. The best one for you will be the one that makes your stay at home worthwhile and memorable.