1. Ping! You just got a new notification. Do you check it immediately? Most people would, and it’s easy to understand why. Technology has made the world more connected, and in some ways, it can make us feel good. But in other ways, it can do the opposite.
2. A number of studies have found that too much online time can have negative effects on our mental health. If you feel like your screen time is starting to affect your life, it may be worth taking a break and doing a “digital detox.”
3. A total digital detox — fully disconnecting from all types of technology — isn’t easy. And for people with certain commitments, such as work, it might even be impossible. But here are some ways you can reduce your screen time and start your digital detox:
How many hours of phone-free time do you have per day?
Do you usually pick up your phone as soon as you get a notification?
4. Turning off notifications can help us fight the urge to pick up our phones when there are other things that need to be done. It’s all right to leave them turned on for important apps, but do you really need to check that social media notification immediately?
5. According to a 2022 report by companies We Are Social and Hootsuite, people spend an average of nearly seven hours a day online — and in countries like the Philippines, it’s more than 10 hours a day.
(1)What apps do you typically spend the most time on?
(2)Are there any apps you have considered deleting?
6. To reduce your screen time, schedule different times in the day when you commit to not using your phone, perhaps by leaving it in another room or turning it off.
Delete your social media apps
7. The 2022 report also found that the average person spends two and a half hours a day on social media. If you think you’re not spending enough time on more important tasks, try deleting your social apps for some time — a week, a month, or however long you think you need!
Phonetic Chart
