All articles tagged with #screen time
Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano has adopted a new diagnostic approach, asking new clients about their screen time habits before assessing other symptoms of depression. This shift reflects growing evidence that excessive device use can mimic or exacerbate depressive symptoms through dopamine dysregulation.
Apple’s revamped Screen Time parental controls, launched with iOS 27, require every device in a Family Sharing group to be updated to OS 27. This has caused frustration for families, as one outdated device can block the entire group from using the new features.
New research published in The Lancet and JAMA Pediatrics indicates that excessive screen time is linked to significant negative outcomes for children, including poor sleep, mental health issues, and lower academic achievement. While experts agree on the harms, there is debate over the severity and the role of parental responsibility versus corporate accountability. Governments and tech companies are facing pressure to implement stricter regulations and data transparency measures to protect young users.
A massive umbrella review involving over 2.8 million children across 64 countries finds that high screen time is associated with lower academic achievement, poorer language development, and increased mental health issues. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study led by the University of Calgary notes these effects are comparable to or larger than those of parental behavior and premature birth. However, experts caution that the study cannot distinguish between different types of screen use or prove causation, and some argue the findings do not support the idea that screens are the primary cause of adolescent distress.
A massive umbrella review involving nearly 3 million children across 64 countries finds that high screen time is associated with lower academic achievement, poorer language development, and increased mental health problems. The study, led by the University of Calgary and published in JAMA Pediatrics, notes that these effects are comparable to or larger than those of parental behavior and premature birth. However, experts caution that the study cannot distinguish between different types of screen use or prove causation, and some argue the findings do not support the idea that screens are the primary cause of adolescent distress.
A wellness trend is emerging where consumers use physical barriers to limit smartphone usage. While the $59 'Brick' device has gained popularity for its tactile friction, experts note that free apps and built-in OS features can achieve similar results without the hardware cost.
A New York Post feature follows the rise of the $59 Brick, a physical puck paired with an app that blocks selected smartphone apps until you tap your phone against it again. Users can schedule blocks (e.g., 6am–6pm) to curb doomscrolling, pushing them to reclaim real-life activities. The author tries Brick, facing initial anxiety and phantom notifications, but after weeks reports less distraction, more present time, and stronger in-person connections as routines shift toward reading, meals, workouts, and hobbies rather than endless scrolling.
Apple's iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 introduce a redesigned Screen Time and broader parental-controls suite, including easier Child Account setup, Ask to Browse for Safari, configurable daily/weekly app categories and time allowances, contact approvals, and expanded Communication Safety—synchronizing across Family Sharing devices and requiring all devices to run version 27.
Slate tests Finch, a gamified self-care app that hatches a virtual bird and pays real-life tasks with coins; while it can curb doomscrolling for some users and make self-care feel doable, the constant notifications, in-app shopping, and Premium upsell create a cycle of screen-time and dependence, leading the author to delete the app but ultimately sparking a more mindful, less screen-dependent approach to well-being.
New York City will implement a one-year ban on student-facing AI for students in grades 2–8 for the 2026–27 school year, affecting about 600,000 pupils, while launching five high school AI pilots for up to 50,000 students. The policy includes exceptions (assistive technology for certain students, English language learners, coding assignments, and e‑books) and imposes limited screen time on devices. The city will monitor outcomes with a stakeholder coalition to shape future plans, amid a broader national debate over AI in schools and privacy protections.
Therapist Niro Feliciano says the first step to reducing phone use is to note what distracts you most about your phone and why you reach for it, then track the time you spend on apps, silence notifications, and try a 30-day plan—or simply keep the device out of sight—to reset your attention and build healthier habits.
New York City’s Department of Education will ban student-facing generative AI for pre-K through 8th grade, restrict device use in the early grades, and cap screen time (about 30 minutes for grades 3–5 and 45 minutes for middle school). High school use remains more restricted with some pilot programs. Exceptions cover assistive tech, English language learners, coding assignments and e-books, and a stakeholder coalition will help shape the policy amid ongoing concerns about privacy and cognitive impact and activist pushback.
New York City will ban student-facing AI tools for 2-K through 8th grade, bar personal devices for pre-K through 2nd grade (classrooms may still use smart boards), and impose screen-time caps—30 minutes for grades 3–5 and 45 minutes for middle school—with high schools limited to AI use in pilots. Teachers can use approved AI for planning and translation, but not for grading or counseling; exceptions exist for assessments and certain student groups as the city finalizes enforcement and rollout amid ongoing debate.
Meta’s youth-safety settlement requires a default two-hour daily cap on combined Facebook and Instagram use for users under 18, blocks overnight access from midnight to 6 a.m., adds school-day focus modes and 15-minute usage prompts, enhances parental controls, and pushes non-personalized feeds and stricter age verification. The deal also includes independent audits, potential industry-wide adoption with rival platforms, and a rollout over coming months to years.
The Washington Post Mind/Well‑Being column argues that smartphones aren’t inherently good or bad; their impact depends on how you use them. Citing cyberpsychology insights, it presents seven science-backed activities you can do on your phone that are more uplifting than mindless scrolling, encouraging a mindful, purposeful approach to tech use that can boost mood, learning, and overall well‑being.