Although we take them for granted these days, smartphones are simply amazing. Seriously: there was a time when people who wanted to know answers to questions like, “why is the sky blue?” or “what is a VoIP number?” had to find an expert or crack open an encyclopedia (or more recently load one from a CD-ROM). But these days, answers to a staggering volume of life’s questions — from the pedestrian to the profound — are available with a few taps. Or actually, with Alexa and Siri on the team, make that a few words.
However, there’s an interesting concept from the world of economics known as diminishing marginal returns. Essentially, this means that people typically enjoy something less the more they consume or experience it, until they reach a point where suffering replaces enjoyment or benefit. The classic example is eating pizza: if we’re really hungry, the first slice is spectacular. The second is great. The third is good. The fourth slice we don’t remember eating. And then the fifth slice is when regret sinks in, and we reach for the antacid or just slump over on the couch and pray for relief.
Why bring this up in a discussion on the glories of smartphones? Because for many of us, the line between using our smartphone and being used by our smartphone is blurry — especially when we’re busy (which is most of the time). Before we know it, we’re dehydrated, our bones hurt, our eyes burn, our fingers ache, and we just feel lousy physically, psychologically and emotionally.
Well, obviously we can’t — and for most of us, shouldn’t — banish our beloved smartphone off the island. Smartphones are amazing tools that keep us connected, productive, entertained, and informed. There’s no need to turn back the clock. However, we can dial down our smartphone use, so that we don’t end up eating that fifth slice of (virtual) pizza and wishing we could undo the damage.
The good news is that there are some very cool mobile apps out there that can help us unplug, disconnect and decompress from smartphone obsession. Here’s a look at five that you should check out (listed in no particular order):
- Digital Wellbeing: this app (which was created by Google) track how much time you spend on your smartphone. It also lets you choose a maximum number of hours for daily smartphone usage (e.g. 6 hours). When you reach this limit, the app kicks you off until the next day.
- Forest: possible the coolest app on the list, Forest uses gamification to keep you from opening up other apps on your smartphone (Facebook, Candy Crush, whatever). You get to choose how much time you want to focus on other tasks — a few minutes or a few hours.
- Clearlock: similar to Forests (but without the gamification), Clearlock invites you to identify specific apps that you want to steer clear of, because they distract you and end up eating your valuable time (Instagram, we’re looking at you!). But don’t panic: once the timer expires, you can access the forbidden app or apps again.
- Flipd: Sometimes, there’s strength in numbers — and that’s where Flipd enters the picture. It lets you forge pacts with your friends so you focus on tasks (like studying) and stay off social media. Think of it as a kind of positive peer pressure.
- Offtime: if you’re really struggling to break free of your smartphone obsession, the Offtime is probably the best option on this list. It tracks the time you spend on all apps (not just social media and games), and puts your phone in do-not-disturb mode so that you can study, unwind, sleep — anything but use your smartphone. At the same time, Offitime has a nice feature that lets you create a special contact list that lets specific people get in touch with you, even when your device is in do-not-disturb mode. So, if you’re waiting for an important text or call from your boss or parents — they’ll still get through.
Hopefully, one (or maybe more than one) of these apps will help you regain control over your smartphone. Because just like that pizza, if it’s not working for you, then it’s working against you. Good luck!