Want to cut down on screen time in the new year? Try these tips!

Western adults spend a lot, and we mean a LOT of time in front of screens. We know it isn't good for us, and while our work may contribute to many hours in front of screen, we increasingly choose "screen time" during our hours of leisure as well.

According to the webpage Exploding Topics, on a global level people spend an average of six hours and fifty-eight minutes in front of a screen per day, which is an increase of 50 minutes compared to data from 2013.

In the United States, American spend even more time staring at a screen: seven hours and four minutes every single day.  However, South Africans spend far more time with screens, coming in at a shocking ten hours and 46 minutes of screen time per day on average in the country.

However, the health risks of excessive consumption are numerous and documented: social isolation, less physical activity, concentration and attention problems, poor body posture, sleep problems, etc.

Another study cited by the French publication 'Le Point' reveals a worrying increase in the time spent in front of screens among children, with an average daily duration of 56 minutes at two years, one hour 20 minutes at three and a half years, and one hour 34 minutes at five years  and a half.

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The dangers linked to excessive use are particularly high in children, whose brains are not yet formed, in particular because of the low viewing angle of screens which harms the development of peripheral vision.

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In a largely digitalized society, it seems utopian to do without screens completely. But it is possible to make good use of them: discover our tips for reducing the time you spend in front of them.

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The more apps you have, the more notifications you receive and the more you are tempted to check your phone regularly: so limit the number of apps installed to what is strictly necessary.

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When you want to contact someone, prioritize phone calls over messages or wait to see that person: you will reduce the time spent reading or writing messages.

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To avoid being overwhelmed with messages, regulate your mailboxes by separating professional and personal mail, and by simply sending fewer emails on your end.

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When you leave your email address or a social media app, sign out of your account. This will prevent you from coming back to it too quickly and without a specific reason.

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Limit your use of the internet by going without it for certain entire evenings, or from a certain time. More radical option: choose a package limited in number of hours or gigabytes.

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Establish times when you go completely without your phone, such as when you see family or friends, or at certain times during your vacation.

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If you are not expecting an urgent call, put your phone on silent mode; you will be less busy and spend less time in front of the screen.

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Your screen's black-and-white mode is less visually attractive than the color mode: by activating it, you will be less tempted to use your phone too often.

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When you have to wait for the bus or an elevator, or between two things to do, try to get rid of the reflex of checking your phone unnecessarily.

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To avoid spending too much time in front of your screen in the dark if you can't sleep, move your phone away from your bed. Your quality of sleep will improve!

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Everyone needs to know the time several times a day. To be chic and detoxify from screens, be old school and wear a watch!

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For children, limiting the use of screen-based devices is especially important. First of all, ban them for children under three and restrict the time spent with older children.

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To do this, set specific time slots during which children can spend time in front of the television or a video game, for example one or two hours per week.

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