Parents and smart phone addiction
Amanda needs help conquering her love affair with her iPhone
Credit: oj2005
I love my iPhone. If I had to do a conservative estimate, I would guess I check it about a bajillion times a day. I am living proof that “fear of missing out” is a real thing. What if I ignore my phone for an hour and some kind of breaking news thing happens? What then???
But the madness needs to stop. I know for a fact that I don’t read as much as I used to (I have a borrowed copy of The Help on my bedside table begging to be finished). Even when I partake in one my all-time loves – movie-watching – I find myself scrolling through my Twitter feed. Nowadays my cats just glare at me, as if to say “Pay attention to us you jerk.”
So I ask the Today’s Parent Facebook fans if they had any tips for me. Here’s how some of you combat constant checks of your smart phone:
“Make sure that it's tucked away in your purse when you're driving. I don't care what anybody says, the temptation is always there to check your email or Facebook or text while you're driving (red lights, stop signs, et cetera). Those who deny it are lying, so your first step is to put it away.” –Dina
“The easiest thing I've found is to set a time at night where you either turn it off for the day, or stop checking it.” –Lee
“I put it away on the weekends. If my family is all together there's no need for either my husband or I to be tracking each other down.” –Louise
Good tips! I’m seriously considering imposing a “no iPhone after X time” rule on myself. One of my worst habits is checking my phone before bed, a task I’m sure does not contribute to calming me down and helping me fall asleep. Reading would be way better.
Facebook commenter Lisa had this to say: “It makes me sad to see parents ignoring their kids for the sake of playing with their smart phones.”
Managing editor Nadine Silverthorne admits that sometimes her kids angrily ask her to put away her BlackBerry. But she has some thoughts on how her smart phone actually helps her be a more engaged parent:
“Back when I had a four-day-a-week work arrangment, the smart phone made it possible for me to be offsite with my kids, yet available to field questions from the office. It helps me to manage tasks (I quickly type them in via the Tasks option) so that I don't forget that genius ideas (inspiration often strikes when I'm with my kids) or to buy milk.”
Blogger/editor Haley Overland (who says she can’t wait to get away from her new iPhone at the end of the day) chimes in:
“It makes me more of an engaged parent in the sense that I can better balance my life. I can check email or do work while waiting for my daughter’s dance class to get out, for example. I can video my kids anytime! And my whole music library is available to them at anytime -- they always ask for 'Glee, Mama!' when we're in the car...!"
Are you addicted to your smart phone? How does it help you be a better parent?
Photo by oj2005 via Flickr.
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What do you think?
Anonymous (not verified) says ....
You have to draw the line. What's so important on the smartphone and in the internet world that's more important than what and who is around you in the physical world? The sad reality is that you're missing out on the real world and not what's happening on whatever is going on in Facebook, Twitter, etc. Children are already on their way with their own addictions to video games and the computer.
Ariel (not verified) says ....
The website for the iPhone application I mentioned in my previous post is:
www.inChargeApp.com
Ariel (not verified) says ....
A new iPhone application will be launched in December to help with the issue.
The application is in final stages of development and the website will be launched during the week.
It is possible to track new developments on Tweet at @inChargeApp http://twitter.com/#!/inChargeApp/followers
Gail (not verified) says ....
I think if you are constantly checking your smart phone or any other device you may actually have a mild case of OCD. You have to just put it away and resist checking it. It may cause some distress, but eventually it will get easier and you won't feel the need.
Anonymous says ....
Addiction is what it is, alright. but on this one you can't really go cold turkey. They can be useful at times, but I get enraged when I see EVERY girl of a certain age group "following their phones" in malls and sidewalks EVERY step of the way! I find this disturbing for a number of reasons-they are not seeing the flowers along the sidewalks, the clouds in the blue sky, not even their friends that pass by them wrapped up in their phones..forget about saying hello in person--gone! Also when groups gather, some did engage in conversation before (although not so much in unfriendly Toronto) but now,not a chance! Also, I find the fact that some unseen force that makes girls think it's so cool to follow a phone around is somewhat subversive..what else can people be persuaded to do by this force (oh, I already know--have a Tim's cup in the hand that hasn't got the phone. Show the world you're Extreeemely hip!) It's just a joke, and one that will eventually wear off. Oh, and to the ones who think it increases efficiency, that's right, what everyone needs is more on their already overflowing plates!
S (not verified) says ....
I know from personal experience how destructive an addiction to smart phones, texting, facebook can be. The amount of time spent by my partner texting on her iphone ultimately led to her becoming involved in an affair with another man and the break up of our marriage. I now never text or use the phone for anything other than emergency calls. Not only I am not suffering but our two children now have to deal with a marriage breakup. I believe there are now even psychological studies out there linking texting/smartphone addictions with other more common substance abuse addictions. Pretty sad.
CC says ....
I agree with the previous 2 posters. There are advantages to an iPhone, and for some people it might mean that they get to get away from the office to be with their kids. But, if they're playing with the phone a lot, are they really WITH their kids? Is a Twitter feed or Facebook update really more important than watching your child find the perfect rock at the park? Better yet, put the phone away and help him find that rock. Catch up on the phone tasks when the kids are in bed.
Anonymous says ....
Good call Guest_180333. Was thinking BS myself!
Guest_180333 says ....
Sorry, I call bull*#t on the excuses. As an iPhone user I know my head-down multitasking doesn't help my kids. Instead it gives the impression that they don't get my full attention. I choose to put the phone away or leave it at home. Like other posters I find it very sad to see parents more occupied with their phones or iPads than their kids. And I worry about a generation of kids raise by distracted parents.