ADo you control your smartphone or does it control you? Sometimes it’s hard to say. You may be using FaceTime for a minute to chat with your loved ones or to talk about your favorite TV show on Twitter. Next, you’re either stuck in the Tikitock “scroll” or you can’t focus on anything by tapping your 29th email notification.
Many times we feel out of place. According to various psychologists and Silicon Valley Whistlers, by design.
Many people try to resist and opt out of their smartphones. A.D. A 2021 survey by GWI Research Company limits the amount of time people of all ages spend on social media – especially young respondents. Twenty-five percent of Gen Z and 23% of millennials now look at social apps to help them control their mental health.
But recent studies show that not all technological times are equal. Emotionally browsing Facebook and comparing your life with other people has never been a recipe for happiness. But it could also be an active use of Twitter for social support.
So instead of making well-thought-out but ultimately unsustainable decisions or signing up for some extreme digital dexterity, consider changing the settings to make time for some of your apps.
1. Twitter
Mute people and topics
Some people may call it cancellation, but we prefer the word “cure.” You can improve your Twitter experience by muting anything you don’t want to see, such as fashion diet tips, Black Friday offers or movie spoilers. It’s easy to do – and undo. For people, simply touch the three points on their profile and hit “mute”. They can no longer see their tweets, but they do not know. Do the same for words, phrases, movie titles or anything else. Go to “Settings”, find “Privacy and Security”, touch “mute and block” and then press the “+” sign and add whatever you want to delete.
2. WhatsApp
Disable read receipts
Sending a message and “reading it” is a major source of anxiety for many of us. So it’s a feeling that you have to stop and respond to everything you do. Disabling readable receipts quickly reduces these pressures and paranoia. Go to “Settings”, then “Account”, select “Privacy” and turn off readable receipts. You will no longer see the blue ticks you are afraid of, and the people you are sending the message to will not be seen.
3. Facebook
Make your news feed neutral
It hurts 21st century democracy but if you can’t let go then the next good thing is to turn off the Facebook app from your phone and make Facebook a desktop-only experience. By doing so, you can greatly reduce the flow of random memories and iffy politics by adding a browser extension such as News Feed Eradicator, which hides the news feed and instead shows an encouraging quote.
4. Instagram
Hide numbers like yours
As a self-confident, capable person, you are not worried about how many “likes” your latest post will get, but you may know someone. Here are some suggestions on how to look or get an appointment for tattoos. Hit the three dots in the upper right corner of a post and select “Hide as count”. Now, if you click on who liked the photo, only you can see the number of likes. Want to take a step forward? Hide counts in “Settings”, tap “Privacy”, select “Posts” and turn “Hide counts as and view” up. This makes Instagram feel like a competition.
5. YouTube
Remove related videos
Delete the YouTube application from your phone and promise to see it only on your desktop. You can then add a browser extension to give it more control. For example, “Upgrade YouTube” is a Chrome extension that has many features to enhance your view, and hides some of the “Related Videos” sidebar. This YouTube feature can save you a lot more time than you thought you would send a video rabbit hole.
6. Tiktok
Set a time limit
TikTok may feel like an alternative metric. you Think Spend five minutes watching a hat-wearing dog video, if you somehow missed an hour. Control your view by setting a time limit in the app. To set a time limit of 40, 60, 90 or 120 minutes per day, go to “Settings”, “Digital Security” and then “Screen-Time Management”. Once your time is up, you will need to enter a passcode to continue using TikTok, which must be a swing.
7. Notifications
Take a strong line
How often do you catch a glimpse of a smartphone with a new and ultimately inappropriate notification? Most apps are enabled by default. Think about it: Do you want to be repeatedly arrested in the minds of various social media platforms, old acquaintances and pizza companies? Probably not. Instead, decide exactly what you want. Calendar reminders, yes. Someone you haven’t talked to in 20 years will “like” one of your photos, no. Surprisingly, According to a 2021 study, 89% of telephone interruptions occur not through notifications but through filtering. But getting notifications can help you control your phone check-in habits – just try to stay with it for a few days. Be strong.
8. Email
Check emails twice a day
There are 101 ways to get rid of stress from your inbox, from zero inbox presentation to colorful folders or filters. But one straightforward new email habit is to check your emails only once – or twice, if you have one – a day. This is a long-term productive advice from author Tim Ferriss. 4-hour workweek. You will need to turn off email notifications and set an alert to remember to confirm. Scheduling emails makes it easier, amazing responses keep your inbox refilled in minutes. You can also create an autoresponder that describes your email method and senders should not expect a quick response.
9. AttachedIn
Do not follow annoying people
An important feature on LinkedIn is that it allows you to keep track of their updates. Most people are aware of this feature but do not use it properly. Next time, think about not following them when someone brags about their new promotion, Ted talk, or the number of followers of Substack on LinkedIn. Getting rid of them is easier said than done.
10. Messenger
Make yourself unavailable
Remove the green dot next to your name in Messenger, show everyone you know you are online. It is only occasionally useful, and the rest of the time this shiny green badge is like a post-it with the words “Please Talk to Me” on your forehead. Go to Messenger, tap your profile, select “Active Mode” and turn off this option.
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Beka Kadi is the author. Learn how to make peace with your device during screen time and get your techbium (Flash, £ 14.99). To support Guardian And Observer Order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery fees may apply.