Smartphones Are Toys First, Tools Second
A few personal usage tactics I’ve been experimenting with, since I’ve been dealing with smartphone overuse since 2005:1) No social media apps.2) Four icons on the home screen (for iPhone, go to this site: https://david-smith.org/blank.html click share button and add to home screen. Change wallpaper to black. Each black icon you add to the home screen will take up a space where an app would have been, helping you focus on apps that you find most important)3) Airplane mode when I’m on vacation (so I can still use the camera but won’t be tempted to reply to a text).4) Few notifications other than calendar, phone, and text. Absolutely no email notifications. Selective and timed Slack notifications since I’m often mobile and don’t want to be the bottleneck at work.5) No games.6) Limited video use. Overuse hasn’t been a problem, so I don’t set hard guidelines on this.7) Leave phone in car [clearly I don’t live in SF] or at home during scheduled time with loved ones.8) Wear cellular Apple Watch and carry AirPods in pocket when leaving phone at home - if there may be an important call coming in while I’m intentionally preventing myself from working while mobile.9) Keep phone charging at night in bathroom on do not disturb. No checking during middle of the night bathroom usage.10) Limit non-essential apps to informational apps - like HN.Smartphones are tools first or they can be toys first. That depends on the goals and discipline level of the user.