Set up your devices

To reduce the appeal of screens, sometimes all you need is to adjust your settings or download certain applications. Here are a few examples of settings and apps; it’s up to you to see which ones best meet your needs.

Tips to set up your devices

1. Turn off all visual and audio notifications that are not essential.
2. Hide your favourite social media and game apps in folders on your phone so you’ll be less tempted to open them regularly. If you’re feeling brave enough, you can even delete them.
3. Set up the feature on your phone that allows you to manage the time you spend on it or download one of the many apps designed for this purpose. You’re bound to find the one that best meets your needs.
4. Deactivate the auto-play function, on your Netflix and YouTube accounts for example, so that videos stop playing after only one viewing or after a set period of time.
5. Reduce the blue light emitted by screens – which has a harmful effect on sight and sleep – by activating the “night shift” function or the “blue light filter”, or by downloading an app like F.Lux, which automatically adapts your screen’s colours and brightness according to the time of day.
6. Make your screens less appealing by turning on greyscale mode in your settings to eliminate the appeal of bright colours and their stimulating effect on the brain. Nudge, an extension for Google Chrome, reduces the attractiveness of websites by modifying their features and design.
7. Program a schedule for use on your home router (e.g., between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.) and don’t forget to let your family know!
8. Activate parental controls in your device settings or download an app (e.g., Kidslox) to program usage times or block access to certain sites and apps.