Digital Detox/Dumbdown - The Bear and Badger

Minnesänger

poprock wrote:

Do restaurants still do colouring in sheets for kids? That was definitely the done thing pre-smartphones.

When I was in the UK in Feb I went out with my sister in law and their kids, and they were offered colouring sheets. So, some places still do them at least.

davyK

They do. Though tablets seem to be a popular solution. I can see the logic in it - I remember the luxury of getting peace to eat a meal in a restaurant at that time in my life.

Kow

Personally, I always have my phone out when I'm out with people as well, so I can't really expect my kid to not have any screens around him. If people are looking at a phone when they're out somewhere with you then maybe you're to blame too. Some people I just can't pay attention to continuously. And I don't expect others to do the same either. It seems kind of arrogant to think if you're with me you must pay complete attention to me. I don't see any point in banning devices at the table. In fact, the idea of everybody sitting around the table and just talking to each other is fairly horrible to me. Just let me watch tv with my dinner.

LivDiv

I don't see much issue with young kids being given tablets to entertain them once they've finished eating. Going out for a meal is a much longer event than eating at home.
As long as it isn't blaring sound out of course, headphones or muted.

Teenagers and adults should be able to put them away for the length of a meal out. Couldn't give a fuck what strangers do but if someone is on their phone all the time when I'm out with them I'm probably not going to bother again.

At home, no screens at the table is perfectly reasonable for all ages.

LivDiv

Kow wrote:

It seems kind of arrogant to think if you're with me you must pay complete attention to me

Fuck off home then. Why did you bother coming?

Kow

To bask in your social skills?

Kow

I can talk to people all day but if at some moments I check my phone or send a message or post on here, so what?

LivDiv

I don't think a quick glance is what we are talking about here is it?

Even then, would the world explode if you just kept your phone in your pocket and engaged with the people you are with?

Kow

I can engage perfectly but I can avert my gaze occasionally too. I think what's genuinely rude is demanding others interact with you on your terms.

afgavinstan

I'm backing Kow here.

drumbeg

Kow wrote:

I can talk to people all day but if at some moments I check my phone or send a message or post on here, so what?

Good for you! I didn't want this thread to get all judgy, it was more about how to implement a dumbdown for people who are interested in the idea.

Just been out on the bike. No Strava. No tracking. No problem!

Kow

I think the idea of digital reduction is great, we're all a bit addicted most likely. But some people (not here maybe) think they can lay down the law for everyone. Put away your phone if you're talking to me. No, fuck you. Be more interesting and I might.

davyK

Kow wrote:

Personally, I always have my phone out when I'm out with people as well, so I can't really expect my kid to not have any screens around him. If people are looking at a phone when they're out somewhere with you then maybe you're to blame too. Some people I just can't pay attention to continuously. And I don't expect others to do the same either. It seems kind of arrogant to think if you're with me you must pay complete attention to me. I don't see any point in banning devices at the table. In fact, the idea of everybody sitting around the table and just talking to each other is fairly horrible to me. Just let me watch tv with my dinner.

We have a fundamental difference of opinion on that. People in the room have priority in my book. Only exception is if you are waiting on a highly significant call/message , and I mean significant.

n0face

Couldn't care less about other people's device use in public but kids in public spaces with tablets with the volume turned up is really annoying.

drumbeg

Kow wrote:

I think the idea of digital reduction is great, we're all a bit addicted most likely. But some people (not here maybe) think they can lay down the law for everyone. Put away your phone if you're talking to me. No, fuck you. Be more interesting and I might.

For me, it depends on the group I'm with. There's a group I go for a beer with who never even seem to check a phone for messages when I'm with them. They would consider getting a phone out and putting it on the table in a pub weird. Other friends will share a laugh over YouTube, text, look up memes etc. I guess I've tended to adapt my behaviour for the social situation.

n0face wrote:

Couldn't care less about other people's device use in public but kids in public spaces with tablets with the volume turned up is really annoying.

This boils my piss. Had it in a restaurant once. Kept turning round and giving daggers to family in question. Took the Dad about 30 minutes to say "I think we should turn it down as it's annoying other people". Even heard of headphones mate? What a clown.

g.man

I’m on the train home from the town. There’s a cunt in the seat in front of me blaring shit techno music over his phone speakers.
Mercifully I get off at the next stop, but this reminds me why I almost never use public transport. Fuck this guy.

Wookienopants

Fuck people and their lack of manners

g.man

Pure ragin.

b0r1s

Why the fuck do people play stuff through tinny speakers when they can just use some headphones. Cunt.

As for the kids being “out of the loop” at social events kids have always taken themselves out of the broader party and gone and done what they like. It’s just now there’s probably a few of them at the family event taking the piss out of all the grown ups using their tablets.

b0r1s

MyNameIsKrisG

Feeling inspired by this thread, I've continued to look at every app on my phone to see if I can get rid of, or, more precisely, move it away so the phone is not a distraction.

- All the emulators have been deleted.
- All local music has been deleted, with only Apple Music and BBC Sounds remaining
- Excel and some of my banking apps have gone.
- Youtube disabled. Yeah I know it's Google, but WHY CAN'T I DELETE IT?
- ALL INTERNET BROWSERS! GONE! I may forget to play Wordle

- My Google Widget is gone, and the Google app itself has been relegated to a folder in the app drawer.

I still have some apps I'd like to get shut of but can't just yet, but the phone is slowly being turned into a simple camera phone with a very nice screen.

drumbeg

MyNameIsKrisG wrote:

Feeling inspired by this thread, I've continued to look at every app on my phone to see if I can get rid of, or, more precisely, move it away so the phone is not a distraction. - All the emulators have been deleted. - All local music has been deleted, with only Apple Music and BBC Sounds remaining - Excel and some of my banking apps have gone. - Youtube disabled. Yeah I know it's Google, but WHY CAN'T I DELETE IT? - ALL INTERNET BROWSERS! GONE! I may forget to play Wordle - My Google Widget is gone, and the Google app itself has been relegated to a folder in the app drawer. I still have some apps I'd like to get shut of but can't just yet, but the phone is slowly being turned into a simple camera phone with a very nice screen.

How has this gone? I did similar with mine - deleted loads of apps and removed most notifications. It makes a massive difference.

I'm still using my burner and it's great. Have taken the iPhone out once in the last few weeks because I couldn't find my wallet. The rest of the time I just kind of forget it exists. It stays in one place in the house and is only used for Sonos, two-factor and banking.

MyNameIsKrisG

I'm struggling with it. Google and one Internet Browser have been re-installed. I did indeed forget to play Wordle, so I've installed the NY Times app - this is better than loading a browser and 20 minutes later realising I'm doing fuck all but stare at bad news.

My front screen is now just a Tasks Widget, an Apple Music Widget, and a few music apps. The banking apps remain gone, as is YouTube and the emulators.

So I'm better with my phone, and the battery is doing better. However, for the most part, those things have just been transferred - They all exist on my iPad, and I spend too long on that too.

Dark Soldier

I just have Chrome and here on me phone, oh and Reddit cos porn. MP3 player (Sony) for music when out.

Anytime I'm out the house I never touch it unless I get a message. Phone is just for calls and texts really, find it mad those who get so addicted to the thing.

MyNameIsKrisG

I have been eying this up though:

Nokia 3210 mobile (hmd.com)

This and a Walkman (NW-A306) would be very nice. I'd have to explain the loss of Whatsapp to my family and friends though.

drumbeg

MyNameIsKrisG wrote:

I'm struggling with it. Google and one Internet Browser have been re-installed. I did indeed forget to play Wordle, so I've installed the NY Times app - this is better than loading a browser and 20 minutes later realising I'm doing fuck all but stare at bad news. My front screen is now just a Tasks Widget, an Apple Music Widget, and a few music apps. The banking apps remain gone, as is YouTube and the emulators. So I'm better with my phone, and the battery is doing better. However, for the most part, those things have just been transferred - They all exist on my iPad, and I spend too long on that too.

I also had to re-enable the browser, as I had an issue with banking whereby there was a redirect to a webpage that wouldn't open.

Dark Soldier wrote:

I just have Chrome and here on me phone, oh and Reddit cos porn. MP3 player (Sony) for music when out. Anytime I'm out the house I never touch it unless I get a message. Phone is just for calls and texts really, find it mad those who get so addicted to the thing.

Nice one. Sounds healthy. I think I'd developed some bad habits when out with my phone. Namely scrolling whilst walking or when waiting around for something.

MyNameIsKrisG wrote:

I have been eying this up though: Nokia 3210 mobile (hmd.com) This and a Walkman (NW-A306) would be very nice. I'd have to explain the loss of Whatsapp to my family and friends though.

I have the Nokia 105 4G. A bit like this one, but cheaper. There are models available with WhatsApp, but they are out of stock everywhere at the mo I think. If you want WhatsApp look for the models that support KaiOS.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories