The document discusses fostering a healthy relationship with smartphones and technology. It notes that 19 out of 20 Irish adults own smartphones that they check over 50 times per day, with many feeling distracted. Smartphones are mainly used for communication apps, social media, and videos. The document explores why people are so attached to their phones, noting humans' need for social connection and tech companies' intentionally addictive designs. It outlines some negative impacts of overuse like poor sleep, weight gain, and not living in the moment. The document concludes by providing tips to reduce screen time and blue light exposure and encourage being present offline.

1. Fostering a healthy relationship
with technology
thelearningrooms.com
hello@thelearningrooms.com
@elearningRooms
Ryan McInnes
eLearning Director, The Learning Rooms
#sbdwellnessweek

2. What tech are we talking about?

3. Smartphones
• 19 out of every 20 adults in Ireland
own a smartphone.
• We check our phones 50 times a day.
• 29% said that over-use of their
devices was to blame for higher levels
of distraction when performing tasks.
• 54% reported using their phone too
often.
• 66% are trying to limit their phone
usage.
What do we use them for?
• Make and receive calls
• Communicate with friends & family
1. Texting (88% use this)
2. Email (70%)
3. Facebook (62%)
4. Camera (61%)
5. Reading news (58%)
6. Online shopping (56%)
7. Checking the weather (54%)
8. WhatsApp (51%)
9. Banking (45%)
10. Watching videos on YouTube (42%)
Some stats
• https://www2.deloitte.com/ie/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/global-mobile-consumer-survey.html
• https://www.gadget-cover.com/blog/what-are-the-most-popular-reasons-why-people-use-their-smartphones-every-day

4. What drives us to use our phones so often?
You have 3 new
messages.
Katie would like
to connect with
you.
Ann liked your
comment.

5. We are social animals
• Humans seek relationships.
• Our smartphone offers a portal
to connect to our social world.

6. Tech companies know this
They design sticky addictive products.
Check out
The Social Dilemma
on Netflix.

7. Some bad words
• Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia): The fear of being without our
mobile phone.
• Phubbing (phone snubbing): Snubbing others in favour of our phones.
• iDisorder: Where you exhibit signs and symptoms of a psychiatric disorder
such as OCD, narcissism, addiction or even ADHD, which are manifested
through your use—or overuse—of technology.
• https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/news/mobile-phone-anxiety-six-out-of-ten-irish-people-suffer-from-nomophobia-
30704997.html
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/artificial-maturity/201409/nomophobia-rising-trend-in-students

8. The problems with too much screen time
• Weight gain.
• Vision issues.
• Chronic neck and back pain.
• Impaired cognitive function.
• You’re likely to die earlier.
• https://www.carewellurgentcare.com/2018/07/19/the-effects-too-much-screen-time-has-on-your-health/

9. Screens negatively affect your sleep
• Devices emit a higher
concentration of blue light
than natural light.
• Blue light blocks the sleep-
inducing hormone
melatonin.
• Blue light makes you less
drowsy and it takes you
longer to fall asleep.

10. Some other problems
Texting while driving.
Music levels that are too loud.
Not living in the moment.
Privacy, privacy, privacy.

11. But it’s not all bad
• It can bring us closer to friends and family across the world.
• It helps us make new connections.
• It makes the world more accessible for people with disabilities.
• It allows us to capture special moments.
• It provides us with access to entertainment.
• It enables us to be creative.
• It allows us to learn in new and exciting ways.
• It can help make us more productive.

12. So …
What can you do
to help foster a
healthier
relationship with
your smartphone?

13. Reduce your screen time
• Prioritise people over technology.
• Keep bedrooms, mealtimes and parent–child play times screen free.
• Reduce your notifications.
• Delete/monitor your social media usage.
• Stop using your phone as an alarm clock.
• Monitor your screen time.

14. Remove blue light
• Cut back on screen time 2-3 hours before
bed.
• Set an alarm for 1 hour before bed.
• Activate Night Shift (iOS) or
Night Mode (Android).
• Turn off your devices.

15. Physical & psychological health & fitness
• Mindfulness and meditation apps.
• Digital technology makes some
therapeutic treatments much more
accessible.
• Fitness trackers.
• Every 20 minutes, look at something 20
metres away for 20 seconds.

16. Other tips
• Get reacquainted with the art of
being “present”.
• Batch emails, calls and texts, social
media.
• Lead by example.
• It’s okay to be offline for a while.

17. Thank You
Helping you along your digital learning pathway
thelearningrooms.com
hello@thelearningrooms.com
@elearningRooms #sbdwellnessweek