5 ways to curb smartphone use
Do you spend too much time on your phone?
As parents, it’s easy to look at our kids or teens and stress over the amount of time they spend on their devices. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the amount of time we spend on our phones is an issue for everyone in our families, not just the kids.
According to a study by dscout, the average smartphone user touches their phone over 2,600 times per day! The upper 10% of users are touching their phones over 5,400 times each and every day. This means they are tapping, or swiping away on their phones that many times. The average American picks up their phone 96 times per day, according to a recent study by Asurion.
These statistics apply to teens and adults, so we need to work together to spend less time on our phones. The only way to deal with the problem is to first admit that we have a problem. According to a study by Provision Living of over 2,000
5 ways to help your family cut back on phone time
- Utilize screen time.
If you have an Apple device, use and discuss the screen time weekly reports. The reports areeye opening , and humbling when we realize how much time we spend on our devices. - Talk with your kids about the dangers of apps that are “bottomless vortexes of stuff”.
These are apps that allow to you scroll to see new content, without end. So, pretty much any social media app is designed to draw you in and get you to spend way more time on their platform that you intended to when you opened the app. - Set limits for everyone in the family.
Where are the phones charged at night? (“In my teen’s bedroom” is not a good answer, by the way). Have a central charging station for all the phones, and set a time at night when all the devices will be docked there. - Practice narrating what you are doing on your phone.
When was the last time you were in a room where everyone was on their phone, not interacting with one another? How about that time when the family was together, but dad picked up his phone and zoned out for a few minutes? Instead, if you get a call, text, email, etc that you need to respond to, try saying something like this: “I just got a text from Mike about what time we’re meeting tonight. I should let him know that it’s at 7 pm.” By making that statement, you’ve just answered the question of “What in the world is Dad doing on his phone?” - Watch this video together (Click here).
It’sfascinating 5 minute YouTube video by a former Google employee about how your devices are designed to get you hooked. It dives deeper into the “bottomless vortexes of stuff” and several other helpful concepts.
The most important tool you have at your disposal on these topics is a continual, honest conversation with your family. Keep talking about it, asking questions, and seeking understanding and connection with your family.
