Latest news with #screenTime
Health Line
a day ago
- 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.
CBC
5 days ago
- Health
- CBC
No social media for Quebec teens under 14 without parental consent, committee recommends
The recommendation was in the final report of an all-party government committee studying the impact of screen time on young people's health.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Adolescence star: Series showed me I was too liberal as a parent
Ashley Walters, star of the Netflix series Adolescence, says the show has changed his parenting style with his children, making him see he was 'too liberal' about screen time. Walters, who played DI Luke Bascombe in the series, said the show made him aware of the dangers of unchecked device usage and prompted conversations with his wife about screen time for their children. The four-part series, co-created by Stephen Graham, explores the influence of the internet on young boys and has sparked widespread conversation. Walters said that the show has allowed parents to openly discuss concerns about their children's online activities. Graham emphasised the importance of being mindful of the various influences affecting young people, highlighting that children now have the world at their fingertips even within their homes.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
An expert's advice for parents and summer screen time challenges
The Brief A child therapist with 20 years of experience is cautioning parents about screen time limits. Technology is often crippling the development of children, who are surrounded by screens. Parents concerned about the safety of playing outdoors should be more worried about social media, she said. FOX 2 - Summer is around the corner, which means for kids more free time and for parents, prepare to do battle. One expert says when it comes to preventing lots of screen time, do more, and when it comes to preventing boredom, parents can do better by doing less. Big picture view Kids are surrounded by screens and sometimes parents struggle with limits. "We're not allowing our children to experience painful feelings, to experience discomfort, to work through something hard, to tolerate boredom," said Nicole Runyan, child therapist. "We really want to make our kids happy." After two decades of working as a child therapist, Runyon says that technology is crippling the development of children. "It's giving them a dopamine fix," she said. "It's overstimulating. Even just the picture is fast, so it makes their brain react to stimuli in a faster way. "So when they are in the real world, it prevents them from things like attention and focus, and tolerating discomfort, because they are always constantly being entertained and feeling good." Here's a simple example - a child goes on a bike ride that results in physical exertion and decision-making. There might even be interaction with other kids as well. Those little experiences add up to brain and body development. But before getting on that bike, a child might need to be bored, meaning the screen isn't an option. "It's okay for your child to be bored," Runyon said. "It's okay for your child to not have anything to do, because this is the time for kids to create. It is a time to get imaginative, it is a time for them to figure something out on their own." Runyon has a book titled "Free to fly, the secret to fostering independence in the next generation." She says if you are worried about your children playing, she says you should be more worried about them being alone in a room with a phone, where the outside world has access to your child. Instead of screen time you can plant a garden, help cook a recipe, help around the house, make crafts, play outside, try sidewalk chalk. You have to get creative. The Source This story is from an interview with child therapist Nicole Runyon.
SBS Australia
27-05-2025
- General
- SBS Australia
Bonus Practice: #87 Managing screen time (Med)
Speaking out loud will help to improve your English speaking fluency and will make it easier for you to remember new vocabulary. This bonus episode provides interactive speaking practice for the words and phrases you learnt in Episode #87 Managing screen time (Med). 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. Learn the meanings of the phrases used in this dialogue: SBS English 27/05/2025 12:57 Credit: Paul Nicholson and Lily O'Sullivan voiced the characters of Allan and Claire and Professor Lynda Yates was our educational consultant.
