Blog — Screen time
How I Got My Screen Time Down to 30 Minutes a Day Using the Time Timer
If you own an iPhone, then you are doubtlessly familiar with the feature called Screen Time.
Even if you do not set limits and restrictions for yourself using Screen Time, which you can find in the settings, you have probably seen the weekly notification pop up that shows you the hard data about your phone usage.
For the writer of this article, that weekly notification would often be over an hour long, sometimes several hours. And that was even after I deleted the “big three” social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. (I never downloaded TikTok, but I still do have a LinkedIn).
What Made My Screen Time So High
The main culprits were YouTube, which always has a just-short-enough video ready to recommend a user, and Google in general—being able to look up anything at any time, find any factoid or go down an information rabbit hole at any whim.
Luckily, I had/have enough self-control to not be jumping onto YouTube or those information rabbit holes while working—this was mostly threatening my free time, which I do not like to waste.
But still, an hour on YouTube or Wikipedia after work, spending a chunk of time just “unwinding” before getting around to reading, or exercising, or whatever I should have been doing, was not as relaxing as I wished.
After enough of these troubling notifications, I decided to take a stand: I would do whatever it takes to spend less time on my phone, and more time doing things that I actually wanted to get done.
Why I Wanted to Cut Down My Screen Time
I think I share an intuition that many people hold, which is that screen time really does have a negative and measurable impact on one’s ability to focus, reason, and creativity. That’s not to mention being able to withstand boredom, a lack of stimulation, and living without immediate gratification, for extended periods of time.
As it turns out, there is evidence that indeed supports these intuitions. The impact is even more negative for children.
So, a Screen Time notification that places my screen time at 30 minutes or less is what I wanted.
Of course, I am on a screen for much more than half an hour a day, but that is because I am on my computer screen. Most of the time there, I am writing blogs, answering emails, and reading articles and research materials that are relevant to my work.
When I am on my phone, then, I am not really working, which is why spending only about half an hour a day on average, mostly just answering and sending texts and the occasional call, is just what I need.
How the Time Timer Helps
Things really began to change for me once I got the Time Timer MOD visual timer. At first, I wondered who would use such a product in the age of the smartphone alarm, but once I began to consistently use the visual timer, I became a believer.
Having a visual rundown of the timer hits you on an immediate level, as it serves as a visual reminder that time is a precious commodity, and so one must spend it wisely.
And, as it turns out, it has managed to further develop my focus during work. After implementing the Time Timer, I became much more productive in getting down the blogs I need on a tight timeframe, which is important to me because I write two blogs a day.
I can say with confidence that becoming a daily user of the Time Timer MOD timer has made me a more all-around focused and productive individual.
Limiting Access to Certain Time-Sink Websites
In addition to using the Time Timer, the other big tip is to make good use of your devices’ screen time controls. I have blocked YouTube and many other time-sink sites on my phone, and I currently have a “work browser” on my laptop that has similar restrictions, so that I can really only access sites that are directly relevant to my work.
Hopefully these tips can help you manage your screen time to your desire! See below for some more information about Time Timer products.
More Great Time Management Products from Time Timer
Time Timer products have been essential for creating success in homes and classrooms around the world, with a variety of uses for Time Timer products for people with special needs.
Check out the rest of the Time Timer products, which includes the Time Timer Wash, a great handwashing aid for creating a healthier school or home environment.
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Managing Screen Time for Elementary Age Children
Phones, iPads, laptops, and the like have plenty of great things about them.
As an educational tool, the benefits are bountiful.
With an internet connection, you have access to an encyclopedic and comprehensive compendium of knowledge.
However, on the other hand, there is a whole lot of entertainment and “infotainment” that can be a huge time sink for children.
You don’t have to be a child to be susceptible to these time sinks, but children are certainly more vulnerable to them, on average.
Video games, Netflix shows, YouTube videos, TikToks, and more offer good fun—in moderation.
What Too Much Screen Time Does for Children
A recent study shows that too much screen time can actually be detrimental to the emotional development of children.
Additionally, the Mayo Clinic has listed some quite troubling symptoms associated with “[t]oo much screen time and poor-quality programming”: Obesity, inadequate sleep schedules and insufficient sleep, behavior problems, delays in language and social skills development, violence, attention problems, and less time learning.
Helping children manage screen time and develop self-regulation with respect to devices, can do wonders for their health. Read on for some suggestions for helping your children manage screen time.
Set Screen Limits on Devices
Devices such as iPhones have Screen Time programs installed on them that can allow you to set constraints.
You can set a particular time limit per day. So, 30 minutes per day on Safari can be good.
What children can access during screen time can be controlled as well. You can outright ban certain apps, such as Instagram. Additionally, “safe search” should be switched on.
Use the Time Timer Visual Timer for an External Visual Reminder
The physical, non-digital disk of a Time Timer product can be a great time management tool.
Having a Time Timer visual timer in close view of your child can serve as a reminder from the “outside world” while engrossed in whatever is on the screen.
The particular reminder is that there is only so much time left for screen time. This gives your child the opportunity to self-regulate and manage their time independently. No more fights of “five more minutes,” because when the disk is gone, time is up!
Encourage “Unplugged” Time
This can work for young and old children alike.
We mentioned a list of the downsides of excess screen time and poor quality programming (e.g., entertainment that only requires passive viewership). Be frank with your child about the danger of giving too much of your time and attention to these things.
Let them know that not everything they see online is trustworthy or acceptable, even if they see it with a safe search on.
Conversely, having a positive attitude toward “unplugged” activities like socializing, exercise, playing outside, and reading can have a deep impact on children, even if they are in a phase where they don’t care what parents approve of or like.
More Great Time Management Products from Time Timer
Hopefully this article has provided you with some insight for helping your children or students better manage their screen time.
Time Timer products have been essential for creating success in homes and classrooms around the world, with a variety of uses for Time Timer products for people with special needs.
Check out the rest of the Time Timer products, which includes the Time Timer Wash, a great handwashing aid for creating a healthier school or home environment.
Teaching Your Children Mindfulness
Help kids establish and integrate mindfulness practices into daily routines to live more joyful healthy lives.
How Much Screen Time for Kids? 5 Tips for Setting Healthy Limits
The glow of a phone or tablet isn’t what most parents envision for summer break, so at some point you’ll have to answer: How much screen time for kids? With a few tips, you can reclaim summer and maybe even redirect some attention from glowing screens to the glow of fireflies. Here are five ideas to get you started.