Take a Spring "Tech" Break!

From a study conducted by New York psychotherapist, Nancy Colier:

Most people now check their smartphones 150 times per day, or every six minutes.

Young adults are now sending an average of 110 texts per day.

46 percent of smartphone users now say that their devices are something they ‘couldn’t live without.’

Colier explains why it is important to limit our daily lives:

Without open spaces and downtime, the nervous system never shuts down — it’s in constant fight-or-flight mode. We’re wired and tired all the time. Even computers reboot, but we’re not doing it.

The only difference between digital addiction and other addictions is that this is a socially condoned behavior.

Yes, I understand that writing a tech blog about de-teching is pretty hypocritical. I'm like a dentist handing out candy! However, with Spring Break upon us, my hope is that you read this blog and it inspires you to have a tech-free or a less-tech Spring Break! In this version of Teaching w/ Tech, I will be sharing a simple 3 step plan to have "Spring 'Tech' Break"....

Step 1...Admitting You Have a Problem

How much are you on your phone? Well, there is an app for that!

If you are an iPhone/iPad user, Moment (image on the left), or an Android user, Quality Time (image on the right), are apps that track your screen time. Both apps provide you with pretty meaningful data that you already know...we spend too much time on our devices.

Millennials: daily mobile access 2017 | StatisticThis statistic gives information on the daily time spent on mobile internet by Millennial internet users worldwide from 2012 to 2017. In 2017, Millennial internet users spent an average of 223 minutes per day on mobile devices, a strong increase from the 188 daily minutes in 2016.

Step 2...De-Teching (pretty sure that isn't a word, but I'm making it one!)

OK, we have admitted there is a problem, so how can we limit use? The easiest solution is a cell-phone jail. Either by yourself or as a family, use a bin or a basket that the cell-phones stay in. Put a kitchen timer on it and start with small periods of time, slowly increasing it.

What about emergencies or if you need to receive a call? Both Android and iOS have settings that can help with this.

Turn off your cellular data and Wi-Fi when de-teching. Turning Data Off only disconnects Internet connection. It doesnt effect Calls/Texts. Yes you will still be able to send/receive phone calls and texts.

iOS

Android

In "Do Not Disturb" mode, you can choose who you can receive calls or texts from (everyone, no one, contacts). In this mode reminders and notifications will not appear on your phone, only calls and texts from your approved list will come through.

By turning off the cellular data and WiFi, this basically stops social media apps from updating and eliminates the urge to stay connected.

Another tool for iPhone users, is the new Do Not Disturb While Driving feature:

When you are de-teching, turn on the Do Not Disturb While Driving (Activate: manually, in settings) and change the Auto-Reply to something like:

I'm taking a break from tech at the moment. If this is an emergency, call me. If not, I will get back to you later.

Disclaimer: There probably is a way to do this on the Android side, I'm just an iPhone guy. If you are an Android person and know how to do this. Send me a "how-to" and I will link it here.