"Smartphones offer opportunities to reduce their use, but we are not using them properly," said Geetaj Channa, head of corporate strategy at Vivo India, when asked about the most effective way to reduce smartphone use by parents and children.
Over the past decade, smartphones have become an integral part of our personal and professional lives. If the need to stay connected is part of human evolution, then smartphones are affecting the relationship between parents and children. Chinese smartphone maker Vivo recently released a study titled "Exclusion." According to the report, most parents and children admit that excessive use of smartphones has a negative effect on their relationship.
In an exclusive interview with indianexpress.com, Chanana said that awareness is crucial to curb the excessive use of smartphones. “After creating awareness, we need to develop a practice of using these options. For example, if you're asked to turn off your phone now, you might want to comply, even if it's late at night or at a certain time. On December 20th, we want to let people know that this feature may be disabled for a limited time. It's about inculcating this habit," he said.
The study also explained why smartphone use is a problem. 94% of parents say they are concerned about their children's mental health, and 91% say they want to limit the amount of time their children spend looking at their phones.
It was also found that 73% of children complained to their parents about the excessive use of smartphones. This meant that even when parents were spending time with their children, they were often distracted by their smartphones.
“It's common to see groups of friends or family members sitting together, but instead of engaging in conversation, they're engrossed in their devices. Phones provide useful tools, but real life is more important. We need to put down our tools to focus on building relationships with others. By being fully present, we can build real relationships,” says Chanana.
91% of children say they feel lonelier than ever because their parents spend most of their time looking at screens. (Image source: Vivo)Google and smartphone manufacturers have taken steps to reduce and limit the use of features such as Digital Wellbeing. Smartphone use is unusually common in Indian households.
When asked about measures to reduce overuse of smartphones, Chanana said, "It's more about awareness than lack of options." Once we know this, we can begin to build practices around existing tools. For example, many people do not want to turn off their phone overnight or for several hours. Essentially, it starts with awareness and then over time it builds into improved habits.
Excessive use of smartphones appears to negatively affect relationships and lead to loneliness in children. According to the study, 91% of children said their parents spent most of their time on the phone, making them feel lonelier than ever. 93 percent of parents and children said the quality of their relationship has deteriorated over time.
According to Chanana, a real relationship requires full attention. “These days, it's best to avoid distractions so you can stay engaged with people and activities. That's why even nutritionists recommend turning off the screen while eating," he complains.
Another important statistic
According to the study, parents and children spend about two hours together, but even then, 75% of them use their smartphones during these shared moments. Interestingly, parents spend an average of 7.7 hours a day on smartphones, which is about 1.2 hours more than children. Most respondents said their phone is the first and last thing they look at before going to bed and when they wake up.
When asked what Vivo is doing to fight smartphone addiction, Chanana said she has been trying to research such books with renowned author Kathryn Price as a knowledge partner. Learn how excessive smartphone use affects users.
“Turning off our devices, even for a short time, can help develop the habit of disconnecting. Stepping away from our screens allows us to make meaningful connections with our loved ones, which ultimately strengthens our relationships. Although it may seem small, an hour away from technology can make a big difference in our relationships and overall well-being," says Chanana.
As part of its initiative to fight smartphone overuse, Vivo invites you to participate in the Switch Off Day on 20 December 2023. Users are encouraged to switch off their smartphones for an hour and spend some time together. with their families and loved ones.
