Apple to unveil software aimed at iPhone addiction

ronjor · Jun 1, 2018

Mark Gurman, Bloomberg May 31, 2018

Apple engineers have been working on an initiative dubbed Digital Health, a series of tools to help users monitor how much time they spend on their devices and inside of certain applications. These details will be bundled into a menu inside of the Settings app in iOS 12, the likely name of Apple’s refreshed mobile operating system, according to people familiar with the plans.
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mirimir · Jun 1, 2018

Hacker News has user settings to limit usage

guest · Jun 3, 2018

Apple's Restrictions aren't helping Tech Addiction
June 3, 2018
https://www.wired.com/story/ios-restrictions-digital-wellness/

[...] the creator of Siempo, an Android launcher that changes the homescreen to remove distractions and minimize app notifications. “There are all of these digital wellness developers that can do amazing things on Android. But we really have our hands tied on iOS.”

Other “digital wellness” tools don’t work at all on iOS. Siempo and other home-screen launchers only work on Android, because iOS doesn’t let developers make changes to the iPhone’s home screen.
Even if Apple rolls out a set of native features similar to the ones Google announced [...] most developers won’t be able to leverage them in their own apps.

“Apple is holding this feature hostage,” says Alana Harvey, the co-founder and CMO of Flipd. She'd like to see other apps, like the calendar, make use of the Do Not Disturb function to minimize distractions during times that are already marked as busy.

[...] developers believe that Apple only stands to gain from collaboration with its ecosystem of app developers—especially the ones that have been working toward solutions for years. “They need all the tools on hand, rather than [just the ones] hidden in their settings,” says Powell.
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guest · Jun 4, 2018

Apple unveils new screen time controls for children
June 4, 2018
https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/04/apple-unveils-new-screen-time-controls-for-children/

The letter from the influential, activist shareholders mentioned recent research from child development experts whose studies have found links between the use of electronic devices by kids, and negative effects on concentration, emotional health, sleep and empathy. [...] In addition, the letter argued that managing children’s device usage isn’t just the parents’ responsibility alone – they also need help from tech companies on the matter.

Now, there’s a new activity report for parents and kids that shows how much time is spent using the device and the apps, and parents will have the option of creating screen time allowances for kids.

Another “downtime” option will help kids to unplug, and parents can limit app usage by category or individual whitelisted apps. That way, parents can make sure critical apps will still work even during downtime, like the phone app.

With the new controls, Apple is playing catch up a bit to an industry that had already made screen time and age filters a key focus. But it’s still an important step, given Apple’s power to set trends.
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guest · Sep 27, 2018

mood said: ↑

Apple unveils new screen time controls for children
June 4, 2018
https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/04/apple-unveils-new-screen-time-controls-for-children/
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Apple's Screen Time limits are no match for determined kids
They're already defying parents with clever workarounds
September 27, 2018
https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-screen-time-limits-are-no-match-for-determined-kids/

iOS 12's Screen Time made it possible for parents to limit kids' app use 10 days ago, but smart kids have already discovered several workarounds.

One 7-year-old deleted an app after it was locked by Screen Time, then redownloaded it from the App Store using the cloud icon -- resetting the limiter's clock -- so he could play it again.

Several Reddit users noted that you can put a stop to this workaround by setting Install Apps to Not Allowed. However, this also stops apps from getting updates (including security ones), 9to5Mac notes.

Another parent asked Apple directly what they could do about their child getting around the limits by changing the device's clock to an unrestricted time, but no solution was apparent.
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mirimir · Sep 27, 2018

This reminds me a lot about the "TV addiction" crisis, some decades ago.

Potentially, Internet "addiction" seems less of an issue. Because it's easier to learn stuff.

But for those who get addicted to social media, it's obviously far worse. It feeds the "there's something wrong" and "I don't belong" demons. Who then take over, and run their lives.

I've got my Wilders and HN, sure. And a few mail lists. But I [some mix of "can't stand" and "won't let myself get sucked into"] Reddit. Not to mention Twitter and other emotionally-charged social media.

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