Addiction to technology

[Belonging to Abba]

I’m struggling with addition to my smartphone. When I come from work I tend to like to relax in my comfy chair and just shoot the breeze by texting friends. I take up lots of time by doing this and sometimes like to go to bed much earlier than my bedtime and text friends to give me some relaxation before I go to sleep.

I think I’m addicted to texting and more productive activities like playing the guitar or memorizing Bible verses are falling by the wayside.

I am thinking that I may want to come home from work and either turn my phone completely off or put it in the desk drawer and not touch it, and work on memorizing Bible verses or playing the guitar, and after some time of enjoyment, write a to do list with tasks I want to accomplish and try to work on those tasks. But after a long day at work I tend to just want to relax and not work on anything. I just tend to be glued to my phone not wanting to do much else.

Some tasks on my to do list are to post certain discussions in discussion forums or write certain emails to people on my phone with the bluetooth wireless keyboard I use, so I may want to use my phone some in the evening at some point.

When I am sitting there texting friends I could be more productive on my phone by watching Christian messages on YouTube or listening to Christian podcasts, but it seems like texting reigns supreme.

What are your thoughts on what I should do about this struggle and have any of you struggled with spending too much time with technology?

 

[Tranquil Bondservant]

Have you tried downgrading back to dumbphones? I bought a CAT B40 phone because I struggled with sin & also got tired of how invasive smartphones had become and used it for a while. Now I primarily use it when I fast so I don't have access to the internet. Just having a phone that makes you press a key 4 times for a single letter and go to a separate menu to add grammar makes you inherently want to use it less. Plus it always gets a laugh when you bust it out when around mates and brag how with a single hold of a button the torch comes on, even though it takes longer than a smart phone to activate.

It's kind of annoying how integral mobile phone communication has become but it's one of technologies that most of society, including work, has now been conformed to .

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

I know technology addiction is a real disorder. Have you sought out a therapist to help form a daily schedule to help limit your time on your phone? Just a thought.

 

[Belonging to Abba]

I have switched to a flip phone at times and found I have a craving for texting friends even with the flip phone. I don’t think I want to go to a therapist since I think I should be able to figure it out by myself and I’m not sure if it’s covered by my insurance.

 

[Belonging to Abba]

Also I am not able to use screen time on my phone to set limits because one of my friends has the restrictions passcode and therefore I am not able to access the settings in iPhone that allow you to set limits for yourself.

 

[Freth]

The first step is wanting to change in your very heart. If your heart isn't in it, you won't change. Next is praying and asking God to help. Pray as often as possible to break the addiction you're in, and set your mind to achieving that goal. If your mind is set on removing something from your life, you will achieve it. Replace addictive things with non-addictive wholesome and productive things. Something as simple as picking up the Bible and reading before bed. I keep a tablet next to my bed which I read when I get into bed until I start to fall asleep, which lets me wind down. My tablet is a 19" Samsung View which I have sitting on its side on a night stand next to my bed, so I can read while my head is on the pillow. Even something as simple as praying and talking to God is comforting and productive, as you're developing a relationship with Him. Do a crossword puzzle or word finds before you go to sleep, or Sudoku, if math is your thing. (Yes, crosswords and word finds are productive, they expand your vocabulary and train the eyes to find patterns in things, Sudoku improves your math skills.) There are even cipher puzzle books.

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

Also I am not able to use screen time on my phone to set limits because one of my friends has the restrictions passcode and therefore I am not able to access the settings in iPhone that allow you to set limits for yourself.

I commend you for setting those expectations and boundaries with yourself and your friend.