Latest news with #phoneusage
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katherine Heigl Set These Phone Rules For Her 3 Kids and 'Felt So Much Relief'
Katherine Heigl and her husband, Josh Kelley, have instilled a set of rules for their three children when it comes to their phones. Heigl said that she noticed her three kids, Naleigh, 16, Adalaide, 13, and Joshua, 8, were becoming 'little addicts' with their phones, leading her to create some new rules for their household, she told People in July. 'We started back in September because grades were slipping,' Heigl told the outlet. 'We always said no phones at bedtime, but there was sneaking devices and staying up really late and not getting good sleep and being unbearably cranky the next day. And it was just like, this isn't healthy.' As a result, Heigl and Kelley made the decision to put some limits on their children's phone usage. The "Grey's Anatomy" star said her kids don't have access to their phones at all three days out of the week, specifically Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 'Saturday they get it after lunch,' she said. 'And they would only get them Monday, Wednesday and Friday after school, after homework, until bedtime — we start that process at 8 p.m." She added that her kids cannot bring their phones to their rooms at night "ever," and they put their phones in their parents' bedroom to charge. When it came to her children's reaction to the rules, Heigl described it as 'withdrawal for the first couple of weeks,' sharing that her kids expressed 'anger,' 'boredom' and 'frustration' before they got used to the schedule. After the adjustment period, Heigl said her kids 'started developing other interests." 'I felt so much relief," she said. "Kids have not yet learned how to self regulate and self discipline, so we have to teach them.' During the interview, Heigl shared that she and her husband waited until their older daughter, Naleigh, was 12 to get her a phone, noting that they were 'going to try to wait until 16.' As for her two younger kids, Adalaide was around 10 when Heigl caved and got her a phone, and Joshua got one when he was much younger. Heigl previously opened up to "E! News" in April about how she navigates phone rules, sharing that it's a way to 'mitigate' how much time her children spend on the internet and encourages them to find alternative ways to entertain themselves. 'Modern moms have to really deal with that in a way that our mothers did not,' Heigl said at the time. 'I have always felt like I can't take it away completely, because then they aren't really in the world. All their friends are on it and all their the schoolwork is on it.' She also opened up about the new skills that her kids picked up with their free time, sharing that Naleigh took up baking and cooking and Adalaide expressed a desire to be an actor. It's also helped her children bond. '(Adalaide) and her brother have been starting to play music together," she said. "Adalaide is playing the electric guitar, Joshua's playing the drums — and they're actually really good.' This article was originally published on
CNET
26-06-2025
- CNET
I Always Place My Phone Face Down When I'm Not Using It. Here's Why
Smartphones might be one of the most powerful inventions of this century but having the world at your fingertips won't make you feel much better when you meet an old friend for lunch and they can't stop looking at their phone. At some point, we've all been phone snubbed. That's what happens when the person you're spending time with seems more interested in their phone than you. You might be sitting right across from someone, but when they're laughing at a video or meme only they can see, it feels like they're a million miles away. I've been guilty of paying more attention to my screen than my companion and felt bad about it afterward. There's nothing wrong with replying to an urgent Slack message or pulling up a funny TikTok to share. But I know I probably spend too much time staring at screens and a lot of that time is unhealthy doomscrolling. These days, when I'm not using my phone, I try to be more deliberate about keeping it out of sight and out of mind. If I do need to keep my phone at hand, I always have it face down. It can protect your phone screen I have a few reasons for making sure my phone screen is turned away. The first one is practical: When my phone isn't in my pocket, it's probably sitting on a desk or table -- which means it's probably not far from a glass of water or mug of coffee. As a somewhat clumsy person, I've spilled beverages on my phone plenty of times. And even though most modern phones are water-resistant, why take chances? With my screen hidden, I can keep the most important part of my phone protected from splashes and other mishaps. For extra protection, I have a phone case with raised edges. This helps prevent the screen from coming in direct contact with crumbs and debris that might be left on the table. My colleague David Carnoy told me about an incident where he was charging his phone on his kitchen counter with the screen face up. Someone dropped a mug on top of it and cracked the screen. Unfortunately, he didn't have a screen protector on this device (he knows better now). It could help save your phone battery Another good reason to keep my phone face down is that it won't turn on each time I get a notification. That means I can save a little bit of battery charge. A single notification won't mean the difference between my phone lasting the whole day or dying in the afternoon but notifications can add up, especially if I've enabled them across all of my apps. If I'm in a lot of group chats, my screen might end up turning on dozens of times throughout the day (and that's on the low side -- many teenagers have hundreds of notifications a day). It also shows that you pay attention Keeping my phone face down is also a good rule of social etiquette: If I'm hanging out with someone, I keep my screen hidden from view as a subtle way of showing that I won't be distracted by it. I don't want incoming notifications to light up my screen every few seconds, especially if I'm in a bar or other dimly lit setting. I want to keep my eyes on the person I'm talking to. "Eye contact is one of the most powerful forms of human connection. Neuroscience research indicates that when two people make direct eye contact, their brain activity begins to synchronize, supporting more effective communication and increasing empathy. This synchrony can be disrupted when attention shifts to a phone, even briefly," says Michelle Davis, clinical psychologist at Headspace. When I'm with the people I've chosen to spend time with, I want to be fully present with them. A sudden notification will tempt me to glance at, or worse, pick up my phone in the middle of a conversation. It minimizes your phone's presence I also have a more personal reason for keeping my phone face down and I suspect that other people have had this same thought: My phone takes up too much space in my life. I mean that quite literally. My phone is bigger than it needs to be. That's been especially true since I upgraded from my iPhone Mini to a "normal-sized" iPhone. Yes, I got a much needed boost in battery life but I also got a screen with more pixels to lure me into the next news headline or autoplaying Instagram reel. A small smartphone isn't something that really exists anymore. My phone is bigger and better at grabbing my attention. It competes against my friends and family, books and movies, the entire world outside of its 6-inch screen. It often wins. But there's still one small thing I can do to minimize its presence: I can keep the screen turned away from me whenever possible. It can sometimes feel like there's no escaping from my phone. Whether that ever changes, or phones evolve into some new form factor, I can't say. I can't control everything about my phone but I can control whether the screen stares at me when I'm not staring at it.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's how many hours we spend using our phones on the toilet every year — and why doctors warn against it
You should flush sh-tty scrolling down the toilet. A new study has revealed the total number of hours Americans spend using their phones on the toilet every year — and it's shocking. A team from QS Supplies — a bathroom supplies company — surveyed 500 Americans about their bathroom habits. According to the study, Americans spend 49 hours using their phone on the commode — just over two full days a year down the drain. And what are people doing on their phones while sitting on the throne? They're scrolling on social media (66%), watching videos (40%), responding to texts and DMs (37%), reading the news (36%), sending emails (36%), playing games (29%), shopping online (14%), completing work-related tasks (9%) and talking on the phone (8%). But most disturbingly, a strange 2% of people said they answer video calls from the John. And to no one's surprise, Gen Z is the worst culprit of this dirty habit. The generation born between 1997 and 2012 admitted to spending an average of 54 hours doomscrolling while on the toilet. This habit has become more than just something to help them pass…time. In fact, over 6 in 10 people (61%) admit to staying on the toilet longer to finish something on their phone. Others — over in 2 in 5 (42%) — even lock themselves away in the loo just to get a break from others. They're trying to get sh-t done and hide when they get pissy. And for 51% of Americans — they just want to enjoy some alone time. 'The data shows just how far social media, especially apps like TikTok, have pervaded even our most personal moments,' Director of QS Supplies Farook Member told The Post. Unfortunately, this habit is dirtier than most might expect, especially because only 1 in 4 people clean their phones after using them in the bathroom. Baby Boomers are the least likely ones to wipe down their phones after coming off the toilet. Doctors warn that using a dirty phone can cause you to develop colds, flu, and gastrointestinal and stomach illnesses. But even if you do clean your cell after you wash your hands, using your phone in the bathroom could still lead to health issues. Experts have warned that sitting on the toilet with your phone could cause 'TikTok tush.' Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum that can lead to pain, itching and bleeding. Frequently, they form due to too much straining during a bowel movement, but just kicking back on the can for too long — like when you're texting or on social media — can hurt you too. If you want to prevent them, one gastroenterologist insists you'll need to give your phone a rest when going number two — no ifs, ands, or uncomfortable butts about it. And his '10-15' rule may be a huge help in keeping your bum healthy come toilet time.
CNET
24-06-2025
- CNET
Here's Why I Always Make Sure My Phone Screen is Face Down
You've got a lunch date. They're on their phone. At some point, we've all been phone snubbed. That's what happens when the person you're spending time with seems more interested in their phone. Your friend might be sitting right across from you but when they're laughing at a video or meme that only they can see, it feels like they're a million miles away. I've been guilty of paying more attention to my screen than my companion and I feel bad about it afterward. There's nothing wrong with replying to an urgent Slack message or pulling up a funny TikTok to share. But I know I probably spend too much time staring at screens and a lot of that time is unhealthy doomscrolling. These days, when I'm not using my phone, I try to be more deliberate about keeping it out of sight and out of mind. If I do need to keep my phone at hand, I always have it face down. It can protect your phone screen I have a few reasons for making sure my phone screen is turned away. The first one is practical: When my phone isn't in my pocket, it's probably sitting on a desk or table -- which means it's probably not far from a glass of water or mug of coffee. As a somewhat clumsy person, I've spilled beverages on my phone plenty of times. And even though most modern phones are water-resistant, why take chances? With my screen hidden, I can keep the most important part of my phone protected from splashes and other mishaps. For extra protection, I have a phone case with raised edges. This helps prevent the screen from coming in direct contact with crumbs and debris that might be left on the table. My colleague David Carnoy told me about an incident where he was charging his phone on his kitchen counter with the screen face up. Someone dropped a mug on top of it and cracked the screen. Unfortunately, he didn't have a screen protector on this device (he knows better now). It could help save your phone battery Another good reason to keep my phone face down is that it won't turn on each time I get a notification. That means I can save a little bit of battery charge. A single notification won't mean the difference between my phone lasting the whole day or dying in the afternoon, but notifications can add up, especially if I've enabled them across all of my apps. If I'm in a lot of group chats, my screen might end up turning on dozens of times throughout the day (and that's on the low side -- many teenagers have hundreds of notifications a day). It also shows that you pay attention Keeping my phone face down is also a good rule of social etiquette: If I'm hanging out with someone, I keep my screen hidden from view as a subtle way of showing that I won't be distracted by it. I don't want incoming notifications to light up my screen every few seconds, especially if I'm in a bar or other dimly lit setting. I want to keep my eyes on the person I'm talking to. "Eye contact is one of the most powerful forms of human connection. Neuroscience research indicates that when two people make direct eye contact, their brain activity begins to synchronize, supporting more effective communication and increasing empathy. This synchrony can be disrupted when attention shifts to a phone, even briefly," says Michelle Davis, clinical psychologist at Headspace. When I'm with the people I've chosen to spend time with, I want to be fully present with them. A sudden notification will tempt me to glance at, or worse, pick up my phone in the middle of a conversation. It minimizes your phone's presence I also have a more personal reason for keeping my phone face down and I suspect that other people have had this same thought: My phone takes up too much space in my life. I mean that quite literally. My phone is bigger than it needs to be. That's been especially true since I upgraded from my iPhone Mini to a "normal-sized" iPhone. Yes, I got a much needed boost in battery life but I also got a screen with more pixels to lure me into the next news headline or autoplaying Instagram reel. A small smartphone isn't something that really exists anymore. My phone is bigger and better at grabbing my attention. It competes against my friends and family, books and movies, the entire world outside of its 6-inch screen. It often wins. But there's still one small thing I can do to minimize its presence: I can keep the screen turned away from me whenever possible. It can sometimes feel like there's no escaping from my phone. Whether that ever changes, or phones evolve into some new form factor, I can't say. I can't control everything about my phone, but I can control whether the screen stares at me when I'm not staring at it.
CNET
19-06-2025
- CNET
Your Phone Should Always Be Face Down When It's on the Table: Here's Why
Picture this: You're having lunch with a friend at the neighborhood cafe. They're sitting in front of you, but it feels like they're not even there. Why? Because they're staring at their phone. Everyone has probably had a similar experience, whether they're the one getting phone snubbed or doing the snubbing themselves. I've been guilty of paying more attention to my screen than my companion, and I feel bad about it afterward. There's nothing wrong with replying to an urgent Slack message or pulling up a funny TikTok to share. But I know I probably spend too much time staring at screens, and a lot of that time is unhealthy doomscrolling. These days, when I'm not using my phone, I try to be more deliberate about keeping it out of sight and out of mind. If I do need to keep my phone at hand, I always have it face down. It could help save your phone battery I have a few reasons for making sure my phone screen is turned away. The first one is practical: Because my screen is face down and won't turn on for each notification, I can save a little bit of battery charge. A single notification won't mean the difference between my phone lasting the whole day or dying in the afternoon, but notifications can add up, especially if I've enabled them across all of my apps. If I'm in a lot of group chats, my screen might end up turning on dozens of times throughout the day (and that's on the low side since many teenagers have hundreds of notifications a day). It also shows that you pay attention Keeping my phone face down is also a good rule of social etiquette: If I'm hanging out with someone, I keep my screen hidden from view as a subtle way of showing that I won't be distracted by it. I don't want incoming notifications to light up my screen every few seconds, especially if I'm in a bar or other dimly lit setting. I want to keep my eyes on the person I'm talking to. "Eye contact is one of the most powerful forms of human connection. Neuroscience research indicates that when two people make direct eye contact, their brain activity begins to synchronize, supporting more effective communication and increasing empathy. This synchrony can be disrupted when attention shifts to a phone, even briefly," says Michelle Davis, clinical psychologist at Headspace. When I'm with the people I've chosen to spend time with, I want to be fully present with them. A sudden notification will tempt me to glance at, or worse, pick up my phone in the middle of a conversation. It minimizes your phone's presence I also have a more personal reason for keeping my phone face down, and I suspect that other people have had this same thought: My phone takes up too much space in my life. I mean that quite literally. My phone is bigger than it needs to be. That's been especially true since I upgraded from my iPhone Mini to a "normal-sized" iPhone. Yes, I got a much needed boost in battery life, but I also got a screen with more pixels to lure me into the next news headline or autoplaying Instagram reel. A small smartphone isn't something that really exists anymore. My phone is bigger and better at grabbing my attention. It competes against my friends and family, books and movies, the entire world outside of its 6-inch screen. It often wins. But there's still one small thing I can do to minimize its presence: I can keep the screen turned away from me whenever possible. It can sometimes feel like there's no escaping from my phone. Whether that ever changes, or phones evolve into a new form factor, I can't say. I can't control everything about my phone, but I can control whether the screen stares at me when I'm not staring at it.
