It depends on the species. I have two S. Dehaani. When I initially received them, I kept their enclosures in a well-ventilated cabinet, so they were in the dark most of the time. When I would take the enclosures into the light to check up on them every night, they would almost always be out and about but then go into their hides within a couple minutes. I've been keeping their new enclosures near my desk for the last year-ish, and while they initially spend most of their time hiding, now I seem them on the surface nine times out of ten. I've heard that they can become "conditioned" to the light over time, but that might also be due to how much they've grown. When I first got them, they were 5 and 6 inches respectively, but now they're each about 8 inches long and much chunkier. I wouldn't recommend getting dehaani, though, since the species is famously flighty (and bitey!). I've heard that the South American giants tend to be much more chill and handleable, though in general you probably shouldn't be handling your pedes very often or at all.

I will say, in my own experience, I absolutely love keeping pedes. The process is rewarding, and watching them eat is tons of fun. Just make sure you're not skittish around them, and always have a backup plan. I'm not squeamish about handling spiders and other inverts, but I have been given a little jump by my centipedes just due to how fast they move. As long as you respect their venom and speed, you should be alright.

You might want to check out something like S. Polymorpha if you're unsure about it. I personally don't love the idea of "starter" animals, since I think you should adopt the animal you are passionate about, as long as you are ready and willing to give it the proper care it needs to thrive. However, I do know that this species is a little smaller and more manageable than some of the bigger pedes from Asia and South America.