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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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 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.

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.

Fuck people and their lack of manners

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.

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.