pin!
*checks phone*
This common habit can be considered an addiction that captivates many Americans. Many smartphone devices with 4- to 5-inch screens are responsible for most activities of daily life. From apps that keep you connected like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to work-related apps that keep you connected like Slack, Google, Microsoft, and Zoom.
As a society, we've thrown away alarm clocks to wake us up and notebooks to write things down. When you get a new smartphone, those apps are already built into its interface. Our dependence on smartphones has also increased exponentially over the past decade.
A 2023 study found that Americans checked their phones 144 times a day.
- Almost 90% of respondents check their phone within 10 minutes of waking up.
- Approximately 75% of the population said they check their phone when they are in the bathroom.
- At least 60% of those studied admitted to sleeping with their cell phone at night.
- According to Reviews.org results, approximately 57% of respondents admitted to being addicted to their devices.
Can you relate?
If so, here are some ways to say goodbye to your cell phone.
Expert advice:Eye strain in the digital age
USA TODAY technology columnist Kim Commando shows you how to disconnect from your devices
Kim Commando wrote in a column for USA TODAY that people obsessed with their smartphones need to cut their screen time in half.
Here are some of her suggestions:
notification
Commando encourages smartphone users to put their phones into Do Not Disturb mode during weekends, vacations, and holidays so they can spend time with their loved ones instead of running to pick up their phone every time it rings. I suggest that you set it.
Limit screen time for Android and iPhone users
If Do Not Disturb doesn't resolve the issue, you can have your phone monitor your usage.
The Screen Time feature in iPhone Settings and Android's Digital Well-Being app allow smartphone users to set time limits on frequently used apps to reduce the amount of time they spend in their day. These features create a lockout feature that prevents you from using the app until the next day.
Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on USA TODAY's National Trends team. Ajane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy topics.Please email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Instagram, Threads, and X @forbesfinest.
