Have you considered ditching your smartphone?

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This article titled “Have you considered ditching your smartphone?” was written by Hannah J Davies, for The Guardian on Monday 30th October 2017 17.33 UTC

Are we falling out of love with our phones? According to a new survey, the amount of time 16- to 24-year-olds spend on their smartphones each day has fallen for the first time since records began, dropping from 3.9 to 3.8 hours in the past year. More than a third of young people also said they thought they used their phones too much and wanted to cut down. Conversely, pensioners are spending more time on their phones, with average usage rising from 36 to 54 minutes a day. We asked the public whether they have considered ditching their devices, and whether we have become too dependent on our phones.

Tom, 28, graphic designer

Dan. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Sometimes I’ll be watching TV and I’ll end up not even watching it because I’m too busy on my phone. It takes up a lot of my time, just scrolling through Facebook and stuff. I’ve thought about having a year off, deactivating Facebook and not looking at my phone that much.

Ron, 66, retired

Ron. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

It’s impossible for me to use a smartphone because of my health, but I think younger people are definitely addicted from what I see. They don’t communicate without phones, even when they meet face to face.

Freya, 30, fashion buyer

Freya. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I’ve got friends who ban phones on a night out or when we’re having dinner because everyone is obsessed with using social media. I was even at a wedding recently where the bride banned people from uploading photos before the end of the ceremony. I climbed Kilimanjaro recently and I was looking forward to not having my phone for a week. It was so nice because it meant I had conversations with the people I was with. When I came back, I wasn’t that bothered about using my phone but then it slowly crept back in again.

Maria, 69, retired

Maria. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I only use my phone for practical things or to call people. I don’t just watch what’s happening on there, so I don’t see any need to cut down.

Harry, 35, operations manager

Harry, 35. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I’m an innovator, I like new things. So, whenever I get a new phone, I want to get a feel of it and see how it works. I don’t spend hours and hours on it because I’m too busy, but I think generally people depend so much on their phones for all the information they need.

Dan, 30, graphic designer

Dan. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I’ve never tried to quit using my smartphone – I like it too much. I think we’re probably too dependent on them, though – I use it a lot.

Shashi, 32, student

Shashi. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I use my phone quite a bit – it’s in my hand right now. I use it for emails, WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook. I have tried to cut down but I can’t because I get emails constantly. Some days I don’t carry it, but then the work piles up.

Glenn, 30, fashion buyer

Glenn. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I would be lost without my phone. Every now and again I go: “Right, I’m having a day without my phone” and lock it away. I need to do that once in a while to maintain sanity. I couldn’t get anywhere in London without it – I wouldn’t know where to go.

Daniella, 46, business owner

Daniella. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I mostly use my phone for emails and doing work – I have pretty much everything streamed into it. I use it for connecting with my sons who are away at school, as well. I’m not on it 24/7, though, so I’m happy to put it aside. I think when you’re bored or waiting for someone, then you do tend to respond to things that are coming in as and when.

Alex, 14, and Ben, 13, students

Alex and Ben. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Alex: I just use my phone for social media and watching videos. I could cut down my usage – I’m quite able to just stay away from it if I want.

Ben: I roughly use mine for three hours a day, probably a bit more, for social media such as Snapchat and Instagram. I want to use it less and spend more time with family, do more reading and go outside.

Margaret, 82, retired

Margaret, 82. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I use my phone twice a week for getting in touch with family with texts or the occasional call, but I use my iPad more. I’ve only had it a few months, so I’m still feeling my way. I think it’s quite unnecessary that people are always looking at their phones.

Will, 29, doctor

Will. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

I’m always on my phone, so I use it for at least an hour a day in total. I think I use it too much but I haven’t tried to cut down – it’s just always there and easy to use. It runs out of battery all the time, though, so I suppose that cuts down my usage. I use various medical apps at work a lot, because I can and because it makes my job easier.

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