Reducing Screen Time

[EjGlows]

All too often I see a group of individuals deeply moved by the contents of their phones, feeds of friends, news or stocks trading, dating sights, etc, that are all too consuming and missing out on the people in front of them. The HERE AND NOW seems overlooked. Myself, I work in front of the computer all day and spend after too much time in front of the screen. I've been doing my best to limit my screen time with my friends, but more importantly, with my family. I've made rules about screen time:

1. No phones at dinner. None.
2. No phones after 6pm two nights a week at my house.
3. No phone Saturday nights

The idea is that if you MUST be on your phone, you'd rather be somewhere else - go elsewhere. I will kick you out of dinner!

How do you limit your screen/phone time? Is it important to you?

I put my phone away while driving and riding, no question. :x

 

[Mike95060]

No phone.

 

[afm199]

I have a $17 Trac fone with no functions other than messaging and rudimentary web surfing. No FB, no pics, and no nothin. costs $100-$150 a year total.

 

[Traq]

Remember the good old days when you had to just endure the uncomfortable silence when riding an elevator rather than pretend you're so important you can't be disconnected for a minute?

OT: last time I went on vacation I intentionally left my phone sitting on my nightstand at home. Didn't miss it. Of course, I was in Big Sur and there's no cell reception, so it's not like it was that big of a loss anyway, but it's the principle of it. :x

 

[asthmodeus]

agree, but at the same time when people say shit like 'present and mindful', i tune them out and start fiddling with my phone.

 

[Loki1000R]

I use my phone to kill time but not while in an elevator or in traffic

 

[Yakoo752]

All too often I see a group of individuals deeply moved by the contents of their phones, feeds of friends, news or stocks trading, dating sights, etc, that are all too consuming and missing out on the people in front of them. The HERE AND NOW seems overlooked. Myself, I work in front of the computer all day and spend after too much time in front of the screen. I've been doing my best to limit my screen time with my friends, but more importantly, with my family. I've made rules about screen time:

1. No phones at dinner. None.
2. No phones after 6pm two nights a week at my house.
3. No phone Saturday nights

The idea is that if you MUST be on your phone, you'd rather be somewhere else - go elsewhere. I will kick you out of dinner!

How do you limit your screen/phone time? Is it important to you?

I put my phone away while driving and riding, no question. :x

the only times we allow cell phones is when a book would be acceptable.

 

[i_am_the_koi]

NO phones with food, no phones while watching movies, no phones while out in nature.

 

[catch2otwo]

I agree, we spend entirely too much time with our face glued to a screen. But this thread reminds of the "always wear a full face helmet" thread. The people who are fine with less screen time and who agree with op aren't the ones with the problem haha.

 

[1footdown]

i know people who text each other while in the same house, like to their kids when it's time to come downstairs for dinner

 

[TheRobSJ]

Some think the walking dead is just a tv show. Nope. It's happening in real life. Wherever you go now, it doesn't take very long before you see some clown walking with wit head down just staring at their phone. One of these days, I'm just gonna shoulder check someone because I didn't feel like getting out of their way.

 

[Karbon]

The no-phones thing is one reason i love coming over for dinner. When the company is engaging it's pretty damn easy to get lost in the moment. 2 glasses of wine and it's already nana hr.

 

[Squidly McSmearstain]

The new electroncs provide access to some traditional things. I go through approximately 10 crossword puzzles a day becuase of my phone. I can tote around several books and my subscription to Recording magazine becuase of my iPad.

Devices shouldn't be an excuse to unplug from your present surroundings all the time, but sometimes on BART I don't want to interact with the folks around me.

My wife and I make the kids set a timer (20 minutes) when they play video games or ipad. After their time is up, they have to cash in vouchers for more time. Vouchers are earned by household chores (cleaning the room, emptying the trash without being asked, vacuuming the stairs, picking up dog bombs in the back yard, etc.). We have dinner as a family every night with no TV, phones, computers, ipads, etc.

Smart phones, etc. are just tools and should be treated that way.

 

[MikeL]

I agree that when you're with friends or at dinner, put the tech away unless showing everyone something. I don't mind occasional text back and fourth if the majority is FaceTime with people in the room.

Old-school anti-social :afm199

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Some think the walking dead is just a tv show. Nope. It's happening in real life. Wherever you go now, it doesn't take very long before you see some clown walking with wit head down just staring at their phone. One of these days, I'm just gonna shoulder check someone because I didn't feel like getting out of their way.

same here , there are a particular kind of people at work that just walk with their head down and read the iPhone . Mostly three of them and they are actually all similar type/age.. and equal 'culture' (?) . The guy also plugs his ears while reading the iphone while walking indoors, while the girls usually just read. I mean messagewhatvat whatever's called.

 

[F4iChic]

I don't have a cellphone :toothless

But I agree Erin, if you are at my house for dinner, bbq whatever, put yer damned phone away or go somewhere else if you would rather be there :x

And I have told people that on more than one occasion. Don't disrespect The Queen in her castle

 

[Nitewaif]

The expectation of instant response on the phone/texting drives me nuts. I generally dislike my phone and leave the ringer off for days on end. TV annoys the shit out of me too. I can't stand the noise unless it's an engaging movie.

I could happily live off the grid.