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Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

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Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#171

Post by HDMI_Cable »

WrtCdEvrydy wrote: post #114
retrac wrote: post #79

I am inclined to agree with the others than a technological solution is not likely what you need. The trick is to segregate these areas mentally, so that you are acutely aware of when you are "on forbidden ground". The "rubber band" trick has been mentioned here already, and it's based on helping to re-enforce that awareness. Technological solutions can help do this. Timer apps that give you a regular notice to "GTFO…

> No porn. No hookup apps. No endless-browsing online shopping. But... why even have a phone if you can't buy random shit online?

Honestly, nowadays I only use my phone to call people. I don't use Amazon because I want to be frugal, and online shopping is the antithesis of that.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#172

Post by tpmx »

namelosw wrote: post #122

I don't have problems with phones but I have problems with computers - I was usually ended up with HN and YouTube when I tried to learning/writing/programming for side projects. Then I recall I read from somewhere that Donald Knuth prefers pen and paper to computer. I tried it and it did work for me. I just turn off the computer and use pen and paper/book/printed stuff most of the time. When I have to use the compute…

It seems like such an obvious/silly thing, but I have found that having a nice large desk space with a good chair and lighting with no single computing device on it is a pretty powerful thing when you've become addicted that way. At least it's useful as a place to read books and magazines, and to sketch stuff on paper.

For the past 25 years, my best (and often only) desk at home has had an Internet-connected desktop computer with the largest/best screen I could afford placed directly in front of the chair.

I've been trying out different placements for this non-computing desk, but I think the best place may actually be just next to the main "computing" desk. Too far away and I end up not using it that much.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#173

Post by TheDong »

I'll toss my bit of advice into the void too.

One thing that helps me at least is to have different locations for different activities. To have "this desk is my work desk, while I am at it, I work."

I don't think this is the only thing you should do, and obviously not everyone has room in their home/apartment/whatever for a desk & room dedicated just to work... But it can help. Coworking spaces also help a lot with this.

If you don't have room for a second desk, you can get some of the effects by simulating it. Before starting work, specifically get up, walk around the block (your commute), and then when you get to the desk, make a specific change to put it in "work mode".

This might be something like using a different keyboard for work vs not, or switching to a different computer login for the duration of work.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#174

Post by ryandrake »

rasputnik6502 wrote: post #166
ryandrake wrote: post #161

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can run dnsmasq and point your phone to it. Then block whatever you want.

Run it where?

I currently run it on a little raspberry pi sitting in a closet. Every device in my home points to it, allowing me to filter out undesirable stuff (mostly ads) from one place. Doesn't help you when you're out and about on your cell data plan though.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#175

Post by flal_ »

Symbiote wrote: post #49
teserodo wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm from Europe. There's all kinds is new regulations around 2fa for banking apps that came out last year, logging in seems to absolutely require a phone now, and all my accounts use an app to do it.

Neither of my British accounts require a smartphone to log in, they send an SMS or make a voice call. My Danish account uses either an app or SMS. You probably can't use a startup bank, as the app is one way they cut costs. Use a boring bank.

SMS as a 2nd factor is ( for a very good reason ) prohibited by dspp2 European directive. You.might have escaped that with brexit though. Even old school banks ( French dude here ) are forced to use apps as 2fa, but my bank for example can provide an hardware token, or a smartcard.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#176

Post by throwaway823882 »

1) Switch your bank account, 2) there are apps out there that replace the entire UI with a blank screen with 7 or 8 pre-selected apps (for Android anyway) and silence notifications. Helped me a ton, my phone doesn't grab my attention or show me anything unless I make it. I think the premium versions may allow you to completely block apps (like the App Store). Otherwise look into "Parental Controls" to lock down the phone to essentials.

If you feel you're about to start doing something on your phone that you don't want to, force yourself to get up and do 10 pushups, and then go accomplish some task that you have already set for yourself (chores, make a phone call, plan your day/week). If you can stick to it, the worst case is you'll be getting stuff done in addition to wasting time. Best case, you lose the interest in the scrolly thing because your attention gets focused on something else.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#177

Post by jimbobimbo »

ryandrake wrote: post #165
silicon2401 wrote: post #48

This is what works for me to cut down on phone time when I get tired of it: turn off/mute ALL notifications that aren't absolutely critical, crank up your notification/ringtone volume, keep your phone somewhere out of the way but within earshot like next to your front door or in the bathroom, and find other things to play with. Buy an instrument, video games, books, movies, whatever. When you get bored, you need some…

Ive been running DND mode (Do Not Disturb) 24/7 for the last few years, and it works well. No calls, texts, notifications, nothing. Helps me to use the device on my own terms rather than in response to someone else.

Can't recommend this highly enough! The only calls and texts that break through are from contacts; the only notifications that require my attention are from apps I explicitly allowed to do so.

From time to time I expect calls from unknown numbers (e.g. recruiters) and have to disable DnD mode - it's just unbearable how much crap starts demanding my attention!

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#178

Post by jhhh »

Find something you like doing more than doomscrolling. You probably have no hobbies or creative outlet. Also turn off all notifications so you don't get sucked back in while you're doing other things.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#179

Post by ryandrake »

jimbobimbo wrote: post #177
ryandrake wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ive been running DND mode (Do Not Disturb) 24/7 for the last few years, and it works well. No calls, texts, notifications, nothing. Helps me to use the device on my own terms rather than in response to someone else.

Can't recommend this highly enough! The only calls and texts that break through are from contacts; the only notifications that require my attention are from apps I explicitly allowed to do so. From time to time I expect calls from unknown numbers (e.g. recruiters) and have to disable DnD mode - it's just unbearable how much crap starts demanding my attention!

Every time I visit my parents and observe their phones, I can't believe how anyone can live with it. All the notifications lighting up your phone every minute, all the dinging and buzzing for your attention. 7 unread messages! 8! Now 10!! Ding ding ding! New reply on your Facebook message! Ding ding! It's like living on the Las Vegas strip. I'd be a basket case if I had to go a day with all those demanding interruptions.

Re: Ask HN: Mobile phone addiction help?

#180

Post by dbtc »

subsection1h wrote: post #164

> I will always end up downloading “scroller” apps - Twitter, Instagram Start reading the journals of the ACM and IEEE: https://dl.acm.org/journals https://www.ieee.org/publications/ Afterwards, branch out into other fields and read their journals. Lastly, realize that nearly all of the information on Twitter, Instagram, HN and most of the web is of low quality and should be avoided.

This is quality advice! ;)
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