Hey friends,
First off, a massive thank you to everyone who dove into my screen-life survey. I was secretly crossing my fingers for my mum, husband, and maybe a few mates to join the party. Little hiccup – forgot to send it to Mum (oops), but guess what? Thirty-one people, including you, shared their thoughts in just two weeks!
As a solo operator testing a new project idea, it warms my heart that this topic hit home for so many of you. I intentionally sent it out just once – didn't want to add to the digital noise, especially this time of year.
So, what did your responses reveal? Here's the lowdown:
- We're all in this together: Almost 84% of us have been pondering the impact of screens for over a year. It's not just a fleeting thought; it's a genuine concern.
- Top Concerns: Tying for first place, with 24 nominations each, are the impact of screens on our focus and the example we set for our kids. Following closely behind, with 21 nominations, is the effect of screens on our moods and mental health.
- Second-Tier Worries: Physical health, productivity, and social connections are on the radar for some of us.
- Experimenting with Change: Over two-thirds of us have taken tentative steps to tweak our screen habits.
So, how exactly are we experimenting?
- Screen Breaks: Over 25% of us are ditching screens for chunks of time – whether that be daily tech curfews, screen-free holidays, or deliberately leaving our phones behind when we go for a walk or meet up with friends.
- Solo Wisdom: A solid 22% are soaking in wisdom from articles, podcasts, books, and the like.
- App Timers: Sixteen percent are toying with app and screen timers, though many are feeling frustrated with how easy these are to override.
- Digital Detox: Just under 10% are taking the plunge to delete certain apps, especially the social media ones.
Once I’ve analysed your detailed comments to understand what benefits you’re getting from making changes to screen-usage, and what’s stopping the changes from sticking, I’ll share it with you.
Meanwhile, here are two articles to fuel your curiosity:
- Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention - An edited extract by Johann Hari published in The Guardian.
- One Question Podcast - Host Michelle Cox interviews Jocelyn Brewer, a tech-focused psychologist, in a 26-minute episode discussing 'digital nutrition.' A really great listen for parents.
Stay tuned for the next chapter, and thanks again for contributing to this this digital exploration.
Please share this with other people who you think may be interested - and subscribe in the box below.
Cheers,
Leah