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Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

nytimes.com

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Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#41

Post by utefan001 »

utefan001 wrote: post #37
jnwatson wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a parent of a 14-year-old, I would far prefer she be roaming about than on her phone. These devices are addictive, and limiting them is important.

If you have time, please give our free iOS app studycity a test. It will block fun sites after 1 hour. In order to get access back the user has to earn 5+ points on khan, duolingo, code combat, prodigy, Tynker etc. Our servers will log in as the child or make an API call on the learning site to verify. It works by using a dual mode DNS (learn and play modes). Note the app requires vpn approval, but we only control th…

I never have asked this in 10 years on this site. Can the downvoter(s) clarify the reason? I have spokenwith 1,000+ parents and teachers individually. Easily 90% are very excited about it. It is simply a tool. I don't think every child should use it. In fact, I hope children that use it eventually stop because they have developed better study and time management habits.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#42

Post by Angostura »

1996 wrote: post #22
kolpa wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

None of those devices work on busses, cars, or hallways.

I would like to introduce you to "portable video games" like the PSP

How's the instagram client on that, these days?

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#44

Post by gervase »

utefan001 wrote: post #41
utefan001 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you have time, please give our free iOS app studycity a test. It will block fun sites after 1 hour. In order to get access back the user has to earn 5+ points on khan, duolingo, code combat, prodigy, Tynker etc. Our servers will log in as the child or make an API call on the learning site to verify. It works by using a dual mode DNS (learn and play modes). Note the app requires vpn approval, but we only control th…

I never have asked this in 10 years on this site. Can the downvoter(s) clarify the reason? I have spokenwith 1,000+ parents and teachers individually. Easily 90% are very excited about it. It is simply a tool. I don't think every child should use it. In fact, I hope children that use it eventually stop because they have developed better study and time management habits.

I doubt the downvotes have anything to do with your product itself (which seems superficially similar to that in the linked article?), but more with the fact that self-promotion outside of a [ShowHN] is generally frowned upon.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#45

Post by bargl »

thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

I have a couple of points. For the most point I agree with you but here they are.

1) People are people and what works for some kids doesn't work for others. While we're way past what I'd call ok as a society, kids still should have to prove they deserve independence at a younger age. If (for example) I were your parent and you didn't have a job at 16 and wouldn't get one but were on your phone all the time I might use something like this to motivate you to get out and get a job. If your sibling had a job and were on their own plan etc. then I wouldn't do it there.

2) It sounds like Sophie was in on the experiment and would have been able to opt out of it. I did not get the impression that she was forced into anything by her parents or the author. Especially factoring in the last comment about adding in Netflix.

3) My parents did not do well teaching me basic life skills in preparation for college. I learned most of it on my own. They taught me a lot and limited my independence as I proved or disproved my ability to be independent.

Any I just wanted to put some thoughts out there. 50% of your friends couldn't do laundry by the time they started college. What % could by the time they were done? What % can now? I would have been in the 50% at the beginning, but now I'm not. I didn't know how to tile a wall, but now I do. My eldest sister on the other hand was 100% like you and we have the exact same parents.

Just some food for thought.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#46

Post by [deleted] »

zwily wrote: post #40
reaperducer wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you ever tried reading e-books? I've replaced most of my "on break" or "during commute" social-media time with plain reading of long-form content. I tried that, and it didn't work for me because it's just too easy to switch to another time-absorbing app if the phone is already in my hand. But I did something similar: I started reading actual books. The key was to buy used paperbacks for $1 from low-end bookstore…

I carry a Kindle around with me for reading for two reasons: First, cause you can’t just switch to something else stupid. And second, cause you look like you’re reading a book to the people around you.

[deleted]

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#47

Post by speg »

chris_mc wrote: post #5

> “It was just a pattern for me — to open my phone and I would have nowhere to go,” she said. “I was just looking at a screen. It was kind of weird, so I’m trying not to do that.” I found out I did the exact same thing when I deleted my Reddit account and set limits here on HN. I used to find myself unlocking my phone, looking at it, opening Google News to the same old articles, then locking it and doing something el…

I can’t wait to set limit for Reddit. I got rid of Facebook and Twitter last year and it’s so much better.

Heck, why don’t I just delete it right now…

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#48

Post by tareqak »

danso wrote: post #29
tequila_shot wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did something similar. I simply deleted my Facebook, Messenger and Instragram apps from my phone. Never went back.

Deleting from the phone is the real engagement killer. I can usually get focused on work when I'm on my laptop. And unlike with a phone, I can't reflexively and compulsively use my laptop when waiting in line, walking around, or getting up/going to bed.

I removed the Twitch App and a bunch of CCGs (collectible card games) from my phone. I'm still surprised to have a lot more time to myself again on a per day basis as well as the reduced burden of having to login to get bonuses or finish off a bunch of accrued daily quests so that I could have room for new ones.

I personally think on some level that one of the things (if not the only thing) that will make or break my generation is whether or not enough people reach the milestone of recognizing attention as finite resource (both attention in general and individual's own attention).

1) You can't do something about it if you don't know.

2) You can't know if you have no way of becoming aware.

3) You can't become aware if you're always distracted such that you don't receive sufficiently effective exposure.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#49

Post by bcheung »

Along related lines, I noticed just removing notifications from the lock screen greatly reduces phone usage. I also set my phone on do not disturb the majority of the time unless I'm expecting a call. I estimate I cut my time 10x.

That being said, I think screen time is only an approximate message. I spend tons of time on the computer every day but a lot of it is very productive learning online courses, work, and hobby programming projects. I wouldn't count that time towards something I want to avoid.

Re: Using Apple’s New Controls to Limit a Teenager’s iPhone Time

#50

Post by thermodynthrway »

bargl wrote: post #45
thermodynthrway wrote: post #16

You would think a teenager with a job could just get their own phone plan. I'm kinda thankful helicopter parenting is being undermined by technology (internet+Uber), maybe one day we will get back to reasonable parenting practices they had back in the 60's-70's. We don't let our kids roam the neighborhood anymore even though it's a magnitude safer than it was decades ago. I don't understand how we expect kids to star…

I have a couple of points. For the most point I agree with you but here they are. 1) People are people and what works for some kids doesn't work for others. While we're way past what I'd call ok as a society, kids still should have to prove they deserve independence at a younger age. If (for example) I were your parent and you didn't have a job at 16 and wouldn't get one but were on your phone all the time I might us…

True, thread below talks a lot more about how not all kids are ready. All of them can take care of life issues now. Best thing about early freedom was ability to learn the ropes before society judged you for it.

The world is a lot harsher when you turn 17-18. Better to learn your way when you're young and most people are willing to accommodate

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