New Steps In Digital Well Being

On June 4th, Apple held WWDC 2018, their annual developer conference. There they announced new measures coming in their newest software update, IOS 12, to help what's being called digital wellbeing. It creates a new app called screen time that allows you to manage and track how long you are in certain apps, as well as how many notifications you get and how many times you pick up your phone. This follows Google’s move last month to put out similar tools into the next Android software.

This appears to have happened for two reasons, one, there has been research showing that mental health is suffering when using phones constantly. Secondly, there has been recent pushes by outside groups for companies to take responsibility for their products. This is a change from the past, when the companies put it on the users to define how much time on their devices and on which apps. That is still the same, you will have to set the limits yourself, and you will have to follow them, but at least both of the largest phone operating system developers, are giving people the tools to make the change themselves.

In more detail of what Google and Apple are providing is primarily information. Both allow you to see which apps you use each day and for how long, as well as set limits on these apps. However the enforcement of the limits is different between the two companies. On Android, the limits are going to be strict, with it greying out the icon and not allowing you back into it, on apple however it is only going to keep sending you pop ups reminding you to stop. Personally Google’s seems like the more effective approach that will lead to better success at stopping chronic phone addiction.

As well both OSs are going to help you manage your notifications better, by helping you customize Do Not Disturb and which apps are allowed to notify you and how. I believe that these steps are very important as it gives the necessary tools for people to take control of their devices and their digital lives. Previously there was little in the way to assist in breaking bad habits, mainly because app developers want you to spend more time in their apps. These tools will deliver and give those willing to use them much greater power over their habits. The main question is, will people use them?