Apps that help

Moment: Track which apps you use most, log how many times you pick up your phone, set phone-free times.

Forest: Schedule phone-free time and grow virtual trees and earn coins.

RealizD: This helps you to start a digital diet tracking iPhone and iPad usage and set limits.

UBhind: Gives graphical representation of mobile use.

Space: Find out your phone user “type” – boredom battler, social sticky-mitt, rabbit hole wander or busy bee.

KATIE’S REVIEW OF FOREST AND UBhind

I really like Forest as I am a visual learner and this grows a little plant each “phone free session” you do. I believe the app plants real trees as you save up coins from growing your virtual trees which is so cool! I think the sustainability aspect for me was the decider when choosing which app to download. Forest helped me stay focused and minimised my screen time, as I couldn’t leave the screen without my little virtual tree dying. I will definitely use this in the future

I think I will see greater benefits from UBhind after longterm use as it will make me aware of which apps I am using most (usually social media) and allow me to see the time spent as a percentage. You can schedule parts of the day you don’t want to use your phone and I have set it so that I can’t use my phone from 8 o’clock every night until 7am the next day.

TIPS ON SWITCHING OFF

Set daily usage limits and introduce little breaks

Get everyone to put their mobiles in a basket at dinner.

Talk face-to-face.

Delete time-guzzling apps such as games which chew up more than hours.

Turn off social media notifications.