The research is compelling. We are addicted to our devices. Leading professors, psychologists and are all saying the same things and we are beginning to see the harms unfold in our society
- Attention and cognition
- Distracted parenting
- Mental health
- Addiction
- Relationships
A substantial body of research links ‘Problematic Mobile Phone Use’ (PMPU) to impaired cognitive function, impulsivity, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and addiction to social networking. So-called ‘persuasive technologies’ (including social media, gaming, dating and gambling) are designed to keep users' attention without regard for the detrimental impact that excessive smartphone usage is having on mental and physical health.
Conscious and controlled changes to daily time spent on smartphone use can contribute to subjective well-being, fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms, less problematic use tendencies and more life satisfaction. It takes only a minor tweak in smartphone usage to make a noticeable difference to your mental health.
The biggest issue when it comes to phones, is that ‘unlimited’ has been the gold standard. It’s an unhelpful narrative. We need to disrupt habits, impulses and compulsions. Phone limits should be easy and accessible but generally they’re complicated and easily overridden (and when they’re not, users are frustrated).
Our tip is to trim, rather than block. LiMIT, don’t lose. The harsh reality is that excessive phone use is wreaking havoc with our mental health - small changes to your habits can make a big difference, just do something, anything* & you’ll feel a lot better; especially if you’ve found yourself overusing 🤞✨
*if you’re reading this, you’re aware & that's a great place to start!
Most people do want to use their phones less and most people have tried and failed to find the right solution.
- Reducing your smartphone usage by just an hour a day for a week can improve your mental health.
- Monitoring your smartphone usage and how it impacts you can help you make positive changes.
- Completely stopping smartphone usage was not found to be as beneficial for mental health.
In June, we'll be returning with innovative sell-out school project aptly named Me, Myself and iPhone. Transitioning from Primary to Secondary school is a particularly significant change for young people - early and preventative education is key. Learning about change, and how to cope with it, will help children process this particular transition, and prepare them for many other changes and challenges they may face in life. Me, Myself and iPhone is a cross-curricular project for Year 6 students, exploring mobile phone use and some of the universal pressures linked to social media.
Exposure to unrestrained levels of digital technology can have serious long term consequences for children’s development, creating permanent changes in brain structure that impact how children will think, feel, and act throughout their lives. And it’s not great for adults’ mental health either. Take action now and have honest, open conversations - including with yourself!