Addicted to phone/tech anyone?

[Helptonight]

I am going to keep it simple, I am completely addicted to my phone. I really don't post anything - I am a lurker on all social media apps not looking for likes replies etc... I don't shop very much, normal amount of texting/whatsapping I would say but I literally spend hours a day scrolling/watching youtube or listening to music and I look forward to going to bed so I can do the same, sometimes up til early hours just looking at total nonsense. This way predates lockdown, I have always been the same with tv then internet followed by the phone. I find myself googling random things constantly, anything that pops in to my head and then go off down the rabbit hole! I am not the most social person, the lockdown has been relieved me of a lot of anxiety about meet ups/events etc... It's not normal to spend hours day after day just glued to a phone is it? Any suggestions? Is there anyone else on here that is like this?

My son took my phone to talk to Granny. It was maybe 3 minutes. I didn't know what to do with myself.
Always on my phone. I'm in the bath now. On the phone.
Addiction is addiction.

Me! I have ADHD so presume it’s a stimulant thing.

To an extent yes. If my son sees my phone on the table he brings it to me as if Im not meant to he without it because it's in my hand Alot. When he started doing that j have made a huge effort to leave it in other rooms, not on it around him etc. I just deleted FB because I just doom scrolled endlessly. And when I watch TV I actively spend time selecting a programme I really want to watch and put down my phone to watch it completely with no distraction from my phone and honestly it is so much better.

And also reading Twitter I'll like read a tweet which I could go down a rabbit hole then I'll think "no, I don't fucking care" and close the app and put the phone down.
I've only just started doing this and it's going well so far but it's so easy to just keep looking and looking. If you think back "what did I gain from that Twitter session?" The likely answer is "nothing".

I'm the same. My screen time is ridiculous!! At least 8 hours a day!

It’s good to be aware of it, I have a similar battle and try my best not to be on my phone when the children are in the room as it makes me less likely to listen and also irritable. I’ve read a book on curing the addiction and tried various things, my most helpful lately is not being allowed my phone by me at night so I leave it in another room and I sleep much better though still wake looking for it as it’s early days!!

Me!! Maybe we need to set up a screentime detox challenge thread?

I’m also trying to replace it with other , healthier stimuli - newspapers and books! And also with engaging fully with people I see without letting myself use it - it all helps but I’m still on it for too much of the day with nothing at all to show for it 😬

Yes firstbornunicorn I love that idea! I’m on day 5 of no phone when I sleep and heard a talk that said it takes around 21 days to break a habit. I’d love to wake up without looking at it too, and generally do more useful things

I hate when people act like being on your phone is a bad thing and a sign of dire addiction. I’m 23, my entire generation has essentially grown up with an advanced understanding of tech. Of course I’m going to use my phone frequently, it’s essentially my sidekick. Don’t feel bad about it.

Turn it off during certain times. Evenings after 6pm. Try not to turn it in first thing in the morning. Just turn it off and put it in a drawer instead.

Yes but mooonstone for some of us it’s stopping so much else and (in my case) really not useful .

@mooonstone

I hate when people act like being on your phone is a bad thing and a sign of dire addiction. I’m 23, my entire generation has essentially grown up with an advanced understanding of tech. Of course I’m going to use my phone frequently, it’s essentially my sidekick. Don’t feel bad about it.

But that's because you don't know any different. If you did, like us older folk, you'd know you are missing out on so much more.

Meh. Used to have the tv on all the time. No longer bother as the phone essentially replaces that need for mindless/occasionally educational occupation.

Yes I’m addicted. I don’t like it and my husband hates it. I keep saying I’ll do something about it so I’d be up for a detox group!

Wow some many interesting responses, I was waiting to be berated! I thought of switching it off at night but I have a parent that lives alone so would rather not.

@Axcis I do the bath thing too filling up the hot water coz I am in so long

@Horehound i deleted fb but started logging in on my browser ffs

Me too. I do feel guilty as sometimes it does stop me getting things done, but its not as if its completely mindless either. Im reading, engaging, socialising, doing puzzles, talking to friends, watching videos, listening to music, researching things.

Before the internet i used to read loads of magazines, books, puzzle books, watch films, listen to music, talk on phone, so the internet was bound to be appealing to me

@Looseleaf literally went to make a list of all the things I have swimming around in my head I have to do and couldn't think of a thing so went on youtube

Me too! Would definitely be up for a screen detox thread!

I could have written your post myself... Just constantly cycling through a variety of apps and games during my 'downtime'.
I don't remember the last time I got through a whole film without picking up my phone at some point.

It's constant and I am definitely addicted.

@mooonstone i totally get it, i imagine my son will be the same as he gets older but i personally feel i am using it to distract myself from life in general

@FedUp1984 yep same

Is it possible to do a screen detox thread...i'd prob get addicted to that

Yes, me too. But in fairness I think it's symptomatic of a bigger problem with me. I've always been restless, can't just sit still and be at peace. It's why I hate the cinema. Just sitting staring at the film for 2 hours??? I know that's the point but what do I do with my hands?! When I was younger, I would be playing my GameBoy or doodling or something. So I feel like it's all the same problem - inability to just be.

I can put the phone down if I'm doing something else though. Crafts, art, jigsaw, etc. But if I have nothing to occupy my mind, I'll be on my phone. I don’t know how to fix it. Usually I'm just playing some form of Candy Crush anyway...

@Helptonight

Wow some many interesting responses, I was waiting to be berated! I thought of switching it off at night but I have a parent that lives alone so would rather not.

@Axcis I do the bath thing too filling up the hot water coz I am in so long

@Horehound i deleted fb but started logging in on my browser ffs

Deactivate your account! Honestly I realised I don't need to see what everyone else is up to day to day and they certainly don't need to see mine. So if I want to send photos I will do so on our private family chat on messenger or WhatsApp. Who else really gives a shit? No one!

Turn the brightness right down on your phone. It’s the light that keeps you scrolling. Once the page looks grey and dull you will read it like a book or paper and it won’t produce the stimulating effect that keeps you wanting more (esp random stuff).