Latest news with #digitalWellness
WebMD
09-07-2025
- Health
- WebMD
Why ‘Screen Time' for Kids Is a Parenting Pitfall
July 8, 2025 – You've set limits on screen time, taken your kid's iPad away, maybe even tried a digital 'fast' – but these may not be the most effective ways to manage the impact of screens on your child's mental health. Increasingly, research suggests it's not the amount of time kids spend on screens that matters – it's how they spend it. The latest such study, published in June, linked suicidal thoughts and behavior to addictive screen use – but not length of screen use – in children ages 10 to 14. Findings like this are becoming a consistent trend in screen research, pointing toward habits of use and what happens in your child's online world as the most important intersection of health and screen time. 'This really is good news for parents because screens are everywhere in teens' lives and they use screens in so many different ways,' including for schoolwork and leisure, said Jessica L. Hamilton, PhD, a Rutgers University professor and expert in how social media is linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teens. You can take comfort in knowing that most young people use screens daily without experiencing mental health problems – and that a lot can go right with screen time. 'Not all screen time is created equal,' said Brooke Ammerman, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 'I encourage young people and their parents to think about: How are screens being used by yourself and members of your family? When are you using them? Why are you using them? Rather than thinking screens are bad, look for how they could potentially be a signal for other things that could be going on.' First, the Dangers Plenty of studies link screen use to health harms in kids, a focus that stems from concerns over the persistent rise of mental health problems among adolescents. While depression, anxiety, and attention issues all apply, much of the research centers on suicidal thoughts and behaviors, which have been increasing in two important ways – they're happening more, and among younger and younger kids. In 2023, 10% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide, and 9% said they attempted it. A 2024 analysis of preteen suicide shows it has increased among 8- to 12-year-olds by 8% annually since 2008. The newest study examined the link between 10-year-olds' screen use (self-reported and parent-reported) and the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The researchers looked at how much trouble the children had disengaging from devices and how much they experienced distress when not using phones, social media, or video games – patterns of addictive behavior. 'Your children may spend a lot of time on their phone or online but still be mentally healthy,' said study author Yunyu Xiao, PhD, professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. 'But if the screen time becomes addictive – meaning that they cannot stop even when it's hurting their sleep, schoolwork, or relationships – that's when the risks for suicidal behavior, thoughts, and mental illnesses start to increase significantly.' Such addictive patterns were shockingly common. By age 11, one-third of the 4,000-plus kids in the study displayed them. By age 14, children with the highest levels of addictive screen use were more than twice as likely as other children to think about suicide or inflict self-harm. Overall, 18% of kids in the study had suicidal ideas (thinking about harming oneself or making a suicide plan), and 5% showed suicidal behavior (making preparations for or attempting suicide). One way to look it: The escalating progression of addictive screen use over time 'also means there are lots of points for intervention,' Hamilton said. How 'Screenomics' Could Help Flag a Problem One challenge of screen research is that a lot of it relies on surveys, which can be unreliable due to self-report bias and error. Just as people tend to think they eat healthier than they actually do, many also underestimate how much time they spend using screens – often by two or three hours per day. To gather better data, Ammerman and her team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are using a new approach called screenomics – the moment-by-moment capture and analysis of a person's digital life, or 'screenome.' Research participants install an app on their phones that takes a screen shot every five seconds, collecting 95,000 images in a month. 'If someone begins thinking about suicide, what was happening in the hours and days leading up to that?' Ammerman said. 'And ultimately then, what can we do to prevent or intervene upon these processes?' The Wisconsin team is analyzing how nighttime use (and non-use suggestive of sleep) is associated with suicidal thoughts and planning, and they can even analyze how different types of phone use – such as using the keyboard or not and during which hours – may be linked to suicidal thoughts. The end goal is to develop a phone app that tracks usage, alerting the person and sending resources if it detects high-risk patterns. Ammerman's prior work has revealed about 250 words associated with suicide that may be more likely to appear on people's phones in the three hours leading up to suicidal thoughts or planning. 'We have a paper under review right now that highlights that individuals with lived suicidality are actually pretty open to the idea of having their smartphone use monitored as a way to determine the timing of an intervention,' Ammerman said. 'That paves the way for the idea of having an app on your phone that does this sort of monitoring and could help people in real moments of distress.' Managing Your Child's Mental Health Amid Screen Time The key is twofold, Xiao, Hamilton, and Ammerman agree: Engage with your child about their screen use and model healthy habits yourself. Experts say screen time poses the biggest risk when it is displaces activities that support good health, like physical activity, in-person socialization, and – arguably the most important – sleep. So start at night, refraining from screens before bed and while in bed. If that sounds tough, try just cutting it back by 10 or 15 minutes each week. When talking with your children about their screen time, ask about their motivation for using a device, game, or app. What are they getting out of it? Show curiosity. The AAP offers a list of conversation starters – 'I heard you talk about something you saw on social media. I'd like to hear more' – and ideas for helping children 10 and under develop healthy relationships with media. Make the talks feel less like an interrogation by asking about your child's friends. 'Teens are really motivated to help their peers,' Hamilton said. Questions like 'What is it like for your friends on social media? Where do they struggle?' can be a way into understanding your own child's experience.
Fox News
05-07-2025
- Fox News
Reduce screen time and ditch big tech's grip
Staying glued to your phone is exactly what big tech companies want. However, if you're ready to reclaim your time and reduce screen time on your phone, there are practical steps you can take, regardless of whether you use an iPhone or an Android device. Here's how to break free from endless scrolling and build healthier digital habits. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Constant phone use can disrupt sleep, increase stress and make it harder to focus. Setting boundaries with your device can improve your well-being, productivity and relationships. Apple devices include helpful features designed to curb screen time and help you create healthier tech habits, without needing third-party apps. And they only work if we opt to use them. That's half the battle at winning back your attention. Use Apple's Screen Time feature to monitor how much time you're spending on specific apps and set daily limits to help break habits. Use Downtime to automatically block distracting apps and notifications during specific hours, such as before bed, during work or mealtime. Constant pings and alerts can keep you glued to your phone. Use these steps to turn off non-essential notifications and enable Focus modes to stay in control. For more control You can also schedule Focus modes or have them turn on automatically based on time, location, or app use. Turning your screen to grayscale removes the vibrant colors that keep your brain engaged, making your phone feel more boring and easier to ignore. Big tech designs apps to keep you hooked, but your Android phone also has built-in tools to help you take back control. Here are practical, up-to-date tips for reducing screen time and forming healthier habits. Use Android's Digital Wellbeing tools to track your screen time and set limits on the apps that consume your day. Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer Constant notifications hijack your attention. Turning them off helps reduce the urge to check your phone unnecessarily. Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer Set bedtime or work hours when your phone automatically limits distractions and helps you wind down or focus. Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer By now, you've got the tools to monitor and limit your screen time, but reducing phone use isn't just about toggling settings. Sometimes, it's the small mental shifts and environmental changes that make the biggest difference. Here are some strategies to help you reduce screen time and regain control of your device without needing to delve into your settings menu again: Change where you keep your phone: Out of sight really can mean out of mind. Try leaving your phone in another room while you work, eat or relax. Even just putting it in a drawer or turning it face down can break the cycle of constant checking. Stop using your phone as a default filler: Bored? Waiting in line? Stuck in traffic (as a passenger)? Instead of reflexively reaching for your phone, try doing nothing or something analog. Read a book, breathe deeply or just let your mind wander. These "in-between" moments are where clarity often happens. Create no-phone zones: Designate tech-free areas in your home, such as the dinner table, bedroom or bathroom. Physically separating yourself from your phone helps reinforce boundaries and reduce screen time without much effort. Replace doom-scrolling with quick wins: Build a list of low-effort, high-reward alternatives to scrolling. Think: a five-minute stretch, stepping outside, organizing a drawer or sending a voice message to a friend. The key is having options ready when the urge to scroll hits. Involve someone else: Accountability works. Whether it's a friend, partner or roommate, ask someone to check in with you, or even hold the screen time passcode. Just knowing someone else is watching can make mindless scrolling less appealing. Big tech designs devices to keep you hooked, but you have the power to take back control. By using built-in tools, making your phone less enticing and setting realistic goals, you can reduce phone screen time and enjoy a healthier relationship with technology. Start small, stay consistent and celebrate your progress. Trust me, freedom from your phone is possible. What would you do with an extra hour a day, if it wasn't spent scrolling? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Vogue
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
This Stupidly Simple Trick Helped Me Reduce My Screen Time by a Third
Earlier this year, I read a book that changed my life: Jenny Odell's How to Do Nothing. First published in 2019 and gifted to me by a friend and colleague shortly thereafter (thank you, Emily Chan), I had initially resisted opening it because I'd assumed that it was a self-help book that would tell me to switch off and decamp to a yurt in the countryside, living off the land and staring at the sky for entertainment. But no: Odell's tome is actually an art book disguised as a self-help book. She is an artist, writer, and academic who uses examples within contemporary art to make us consider the mechanics of the attention economy—how it keeps us absorbed, addicted, anxious, and unable to fully focus on anything beyond our devices. It is, very staunchly, not a book filled with tips and tricks, but one which seeks to reframe your thinking and make you more aware of the digital stimulants constantly competing for your attention—the ads glowing brightly in an attempt to catch your eye, the apps designed to keep you scrolling endlessly, and the bombardment of notifications that compel you to work through them before you can do anything else. Since reading it, I've become so much more conscious of how I interact with my phone. It's all well and good to be on it, or on your laptop, when you actually have something to do, but what about when you don't? Why am I listlessly swimming through a stream of content when I don't need to be? It's how I realized that I love the Letterboxd app—it's generally pretty dark, unstimulating, and free of notifications, which means I can pop on to look at it and easily pop out again. It's also how I reassessed my relationship with Duolingo. The latter is an app designed to keep users coming back daily, with its emphasis on streaks and leaderboards, but I came to understand that I could just tap into it when I wanted to learn something and then choose to put it away at other times. Yes, the app punishes me for not maintaining my streak (I have often seen the green owl mascot crying at my lack of consistency), but this is my small, intentional act of resistance.
Health Line
02-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
8 Tips for Reducing Screen Time
Some ways you can reduce screen time include using greyscale, turning off notifications, and engaging intentionally with content. Screen time is not inherently bad. However, too much screen time can be harmful. Excessive screen time is associated with health problems such as binge-eating disorder and sleep problems. If you are looking to reduce your screen time, you may consider implementing one or more of the following eight tips. Track your screen time The first step toward making a change is understanding the scope of the situation. Many devices track screen time. You can see the average amount of time spent on your device, how much time you've spent on specific applications, and even how many times you have picked up your device. If your device lets you see how much time is spent on each application, you can delete the apps you spend the most time on. This way, you cannot access the applications easily. Use greyscale You may consider putting your phone or other device in greyscale mode if it is an option. This will remove all colors from your screen, which may make your phone less gratifying. A 2023 study found that individuals who put their phone in greyscale saw reduced screen time. The study also found that participants were aware of their problematic smartphone use behavior, and that setting the phone in greyscale reduced this behavior. A 2019 study found that greyscale reduced the screen time in college students by an average of 37 minutes per day. Turn off notifications It can be tempting to pick up your phone when it is constantly alerting you about random things. In your settings, you can change which apps can send you alerts. This way, you may not feel the need to pick up your device. Some devices also have a 'do not disturb' or 'focus' setting, in which only urgent notifications will come through. Other people may be alerted to this setting and know you are not able to respond right away, such as in your messaging app. Designate no screen times Set certain times or situations in which you will not use your phone. For example, you may decide that you will not use screens during meals or when you are with friends. This can help you stay grounded and engaged during these activities. You may also consider not using your phone right before bed, as this can disrupt your sleep. Pick up a hobby If you are cutting out time spent on your phone, something else will have to fill that time. This is a perfect opportunity to explore activities you want to try or rediscover an old hobby you are passionate about. Some activities you may consider can include: meditation or yoga meeting with friends in-person journaling or creative writing reading coloring crafting activities, such as crocheting or scrapbooking engaging in exercise, such as taking a walk studying something independently, such as learning a new language Reducing your screen time may feel easier if you feel fulfilled by other activities. Talk about it It is easier to make a change with a support system rather than doing it alone. Giving voice to the issue can make it feel more 'real.' Your friends and loved ones can hold you accountable to your goals. You may find that they also want to cut down their screen time, and you can make changes together. Engage intentionally With social media, it can feel like there are an infinite number of things to keep up with at all times. For example, news can be shared at all hours of the day instead of just during scheduled broadcasts. You may consider setting certain times to check for news and to check up on your friends instead of constantly scrolling. This can allow you to stay keyed in to things that are happening without feeling overwhelmed. You may also consider removing people you do not know and accounts that make you feel bad from your social media following. This way, you will not see them in your feed. Use screen time positively Limiting screen time does not mean cutting it out altogether. There are several positive ways to use screen time, such as video chatting with loved ones and watching movies at the same time with long-distance friends. The next time you are using your phone, pay attention to how it makes you feel. For example, you may feel happy while talking with friends or listening to music, but you may feel sad while scrolling endlessly on social media. This way, you can keep the apps that make you feel good about yourself and focus on reducing your engagement with the apps that do not. Be kind to yourself When making a big change, you may not achieve the results you want overnight. This is true for reducing screen time. You may not be able to completely cut out all of your screen time immediately — reducing it gradually may be a more realistic approach that you are likely to maintain. Your progress also may not be linear. You may not use screens at all on one day, and use screens all day the next. This is perfectly OK. You can always pick yourself up and try again the next day. Takeaway Reducing screen time can positively impact your health. You may rediscover old hobbies, have more time for connecting with friends and family, and have a more positive experience when you are using your devices. It is important to remember that reducing your screen time can be a trial-and-error process, and it could take a long time before you see changes. Try not to feel discouraged if you face setbacks.
SBS Australia
27-05-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
#87 Managing screen time (Med)
This lesson is suitable for intermediate-level learners. After listening, test your knowledge with our quiz. Learning notes Lesson learning objective: Learn how to describe different ways you can manage screen time. Different phrases you can use when talking about time: People are making fun of me online I need some time away from my phone There's so much inappropriate content online They're glued to their phones I need to pull the plug on social media I had to limit screen time We need to set some hard limits I'm losing them to a screen! Driving me crazy is a phrase used to say that something is making you very upset or annoyed. I get it means I understand. Same here means I agree and think the same way. If something is hard to keep track it is hard to follow or pay attention to. To make fun of someone is to tease them in a way thatis not very nice. To be in the same boat as someone is to be in a similar position or situation as someone. To bully someone is to be unkind and aggressive, often to get them to do something for you or to make them feel bad over a period of time. To harass someone is to continue to be unpleasant or aggressive to someone on a regular basis. Cyberbullying is the use of technology or the internet to harass or bully someone. Inappropriate content can be content that is upsetting, disturbing and is generally unsuitable for the audience or viewer. If you want to stress that something is happening continuously and at this very moment , you can use the present continuous (am/is/are + verb + ing) instead of the present simple, as in: Allan: My kids are driving me crazy. we're losing them to a screen. I'm thinking no social media Practise speaking dialogue from this episode: SBS English 27/05/2025 04:00 Transcript: (Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript) SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands, and waterways throughout Australia. Hey everyone, Kate here! Today we are going to be putting down our phones and getting away from the internet for a while. I need some space, that's for sure. We can say we need some time away or some space from something when we need to stop doing it for a while, normally because it has become unhealthy for us. There's so much inappropriate content out there on the internet, not to mention cyberbullying, that is people being very unpleasant or aggressive to other people online. It seems like everyone's talking about screen time these days — how much our kids should have, how much we should have, whether there should be bans for kids…It's one of those hot topics that keeps coming up in conversations between parents, carers, and adults in general. This episode isn't about how to talk to your kids about it — it's about how to join the conversation that's happening all around you. Allan and Claire have got some tips for us. Let's have a listen to how they deal with screen time in their homes. Allan: My kids are driving me crazy. They're glued to their phones all the time. Maybe I need to pull the plug on socials for a while. Claire: I get it. Same here. I had to limit screen time for my kids too. Allan: Yeah, I think it's time we set some boundaries. I feel like we're losing them to a screen. Claire: And it's not just the time they spend on-line—there's so much inappropriate stuff out there. It's scary. Cyberbullying is real. I don't know if I need to monitor everything they do. Allan: I know. And it's hard to keep track of it all. I'm thinking no social media during the week, and only an hour on weekends. Hmm... seems like Allan and Claire think that it is important to set some rules around screen time with their kids. Could you follow? Let's go through it together. Allan said, My kids are driving me crazy. They're glued to their phones all the time. Driving me crazy! If something is driving you crazy it means that something really annoys you, and when it comes to kids – leaving dirty dishes, leaving clothes on the floor, staring at their phones and not paying attention to anything know that these things can really drive us crazy! Seems like Allan's kids keep staring at their phones, so it looks as though they are physically stuck there and are actually glued to them! He continued, Maybe I need to pull the plug on socials for a while. We can say we will pull the plug on something if we want to end it. Like literally pulling the electrical connection – the plug – from the wall. Allan wants to stop his kids using social media for a while which he calls socials for short. That will really drive his kids crazy for sure! Claire replied, I get it. Same here. I had to limit screen time for my kids too. Claires understands – she 'get's it'- and she says 'same here' which means that she agrees and thinks the same way. She's in the same boat as Allan, that is, she is in a similar position to him or is doing the same thing. She's not exactly pulling the plug on her kids' screen time, but she's at least limiting it or cutting it short it, and that's a start Allan responded, I think it's time we set some boundaries. I feel like we're losing them to a screen. Sheesh. It must be tricky raising kids in this generation when everyone is online. Allan even feels he's losing his kids to a screen! We can say we are losing someone to something if they are pre-occupied with it or we feel that it's taking over their life. I can relate to that. I feel like I'm losing my friend to Football because it's the only thing he ever talks about anymore! To stop losing his kids to their phones, Allan is going to set some hard limits on their screen time, that is, he's going to set some limits which he wants to be followed exactly. He does not want to be flexible, and only set soft limits. Claire replied, There's so much inappropriate stuff out there. Cyberbullying is real. Claire's concerned about the inappropriate, or unsuitable, content that her kids are viewing online. And she's also worried about cyberbullying, which is when people harass or bully other people on-line, because it is a big problem for kids online and can be happening without the parents' knowing anything about it. By the way, to bully someone is to be unkind and aggressive, often to get them to do something for you or to make them feel bad over a period of time. Setting hard limits on screen time and pulling the plug on their social media is a good way to prevent losing their kids to their phones, even if it will drive them crazy! Claire also said, I don't know if I need to monitor everything they do. To monitor someone or something means to watch or check regularly to see what is happening. You can monitor a person (for example, a child or a patient) or monitor something (like your screen time or your heart rate). Allan replied, it's hard to keep track of it all. I'm thinking no social media during the week, and only an hour on weekends. Seems his solution was a hard limit of socials during the week, so the kids aren't glued to their phones. He's not pulling the plug entirely though. He's letting them have an hour on the weekends. Allan Also said it's hard to keep track of it all, which is to say, he finds it difficult to follow all the rules and to know what to do about setting limits around his kids' screen time. We say we are keeping track if we are following along, particularly when things are changing. For example, I could say it's hard to keep track of all the work I have to do before I go on holidays, but I am definitely keeping track of what's happening in my favourite TV show. Well, I hope you guys have been keeping track of the dialogue but it's ok if you found it hard, because we can listen to it again! Sign up for previews, updates and to provide feedback. A big thank you to our guest Paul Nicholson and Lily O'Sullivan voiced the characters of Allan and Claire, and Professor Lynda Yates was our educational consultant.
