Latest news with #digitalwellbeing
CNET
16 hours ago
- CNET
Your Phone Should Always Be Face Down When It's on the Table: Here's Why
Picture this: You're having lunch with a friend at the neighborhood cafe. They're sitting in front of you, but it feels like they're not even there. Why? Because they're staring at their phone. Everyone has probably had a similar experience, whether they're the one getting phone snubbed or doing the snubbing themselves. I've been guilty of paying more attention to my screen than my companion, and I feel bad about it afterward. There's nothing wrong with replying to an urgent Slack message or pulling up a funny TikTok to share. But I know I probably spend too much time staring at screens, and a lot of that time is unhealthy doomscrolling. These days, when I'm not using my phone, I try to be more deliberate about keeping it out of sight and out of mind. If I do need to keep my phone at hand, I always have it face down. It could help save your phone battery I have a few reasons for making sure my phone screen is turned away. The first one is practical: Because my screen is face down and won't turn on for each notification, I can save a little bit of battery charge. A single notification won't mean the difference between my phone lasting the whole day or dying in the afternoon, but notifications can add up, especially if I've enabled them across all of my apps. If I'm in a lot of group chats, my screen might end up turning on dozens of times throughout the day (and that's on the low side since many teenagers have hundreds of notifications a day). It also shows that you pay attention Keeping my phone face down is also a good rule of social etiquette: If I'm hanging out with someone, I keep my screen hidden from view as a subtle way of showing that I won't be distracted by it. I don't want incoming notifications to light up my screen every few seconds, especially if I'm in a bar or other dimly lit setting. I want to keep my eyes on the person I'm talking to. "Eye contact is one of the most powerful forms of human connection. Neuroscience research indicates that when two people make direct eye contact, their brain activity begins to synchronize, supporting more effective communication and increasing empathy. This synchrony can be disrupted when attention shifts to a phone, even briefly," says Michelle Davis, clinical psychologist at Headspace. When I'm with the people I've chosen to spend time with, I want to be fully present with them. A sudden notification will tempt me to glance at, or worse, pick up my phone in the middle of a conversation. It minimizes your phone's presence I also have a more personal reason for keeping my phone face down, and I suspect that other people have had this same thought: My phone takes up too much space in my life. I mean that quite literally. My phone is bigger than it needs to be. That's been especially true since I upgraded from my iPhone Mini to a "normal-sized" iPhone. Yes, I got a much needed boost in battery life, but I also got a screen with more pixels to lure me into the next news headline or autoplaying Instagram reel. A small smartphone isn't something that really exists anymore. My phone is bigger and better at grabbing my attention. It competes against my friends and family, books and movies, the entire world outside of its 6-inch screen. It often wins. But there's still one small thing I can do to minimize its presence: I can keep the screen turned away from me whenever possible. It can sometimes feel like there's no escaping from my phone. Whether that ever changes, or phones evolve into a new form factor, I can't say. I can't control everything about my phone, but I can control whether the screen stares at me when I'm not staring at it.
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
Apple's latest online safety tools: What parents need to know
Apple is expanding its suite of parental controls and privacy features to offer families new tools for managing children's digital experiences across its platforms. The company announced updates on June 11, aimed at helping parents protect kids and teens online, part of its upcoming software releases including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26. Read- The features, many of which were previously previewed, are designed to support age-appropriate usage from the moment a child sets up their device—without compromising privacy or security. These enhancements build on existing features such as Screen Time and App Store age controls, reinforcing Apple's commitment to a safer and more private digital environment for young users, Image credit: Apple/Website Simplifying child account setup Apple has long supported Child Accounts—Apple IDs designed for children under 13 and available for users up to age 18 when managed by a parent or guardian within a Family Sharing group. With the latest updates, the setup process for Child Accounts has been streamlined. Parents can now defer parts of the setup process while ensuring that age-appropriate settings are automatically enabled from the start. These features are already available on iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. Additionally, Apple is making it easier for parents to confirm the age associated with their child's account. If the child is under 13, the system prompts parents to connect the account to their Family Sharing group. Once verified, the account is converted into a Child Account, unlocking Apple's full suite of parental control tools with default safety settings already in place. New age range sharing with apps A major privacy-forward update allows parents to share only their child's age range—not full birthdates—with apps, enabling developers to tailor experiences without collecting sensitive data. Using Apple's new Declared Age Range API, developers can request access to a user's age range in order to offer age-appropriate experiences. Parents can control how this information is shared: always, per request, or never. By default, children cannot alter these settings, but parents can grant them the ability to do so via Content & Privacy Restrictions. Apple emphasizes that this approach allows apps like weather or sports apps to function for children without requiring developers to gather unnecessary personal data, helping protect kids' identities while still enabling relevant functionality. Extending protections to teens Until now, Apple required that children under 13 use Child Accounts, which automatically include safety features like web content filters and app restrictions. With the upcoming OS updates, similar protections will also be applied automatically to users aged 13 to 17, regardless of their account type. These protections include Communication Safety features and web filters, all powered by enhanced age categorisation in the App Store. These changes ensure that teens receive more consistent protections, even if their Apple Account was set up independently of Family Sharing. Granular age ratings coming to App Store Apple is also refining its App Store age rating system. While developers have long self-assigned age ratings for apps, a more detailed system is being introduced by year's end. The revised framework includes five categories, adding three new distinctions for adolescents: 13+, 16+, and 18+. This change gives users and parents clearer insight into app appropriateness and allows developers to fine-tune how their apps are rated for various age groups. The new system will also integrate tightly with parental control settings such as Ask to Buy and Screen Time. Communication limits expanded with PermissionKit Apple's existing Communication Limits feature, which manages how and when kids can communicate via Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and iCloud, is being expanded to give parents more oversight. With the upcoming update, children will need to send a request to their parent before initiating contact with a new phone number. Parents can approve or deny these requests directly within Messages. In addition, Apple is introducing a new PermissionKit framework for developers. This allows kids to request parental approval to initiate chats, follows, or friend requests inside third-party apps. When implemented by developers, the framework offers another layer of control and safety for online interactions. App Store updates for transparency and control Apple is enhancing App Store transparency by updating product pages to show whether an app contains user-generated content, messaging capabilities, or in-app advertisements. It will also indicate whether the app includes built-in parental controls or age-assurance features. When content restrictions are in place, apps that exceed a child's allowed age range will no longer appear in areas like the Today tab, Games, or editorial content, minimizing exposure to inappropriate content. The Ask to Buy feature is also gaining flexibility. Parents can now approve one-time exceptions for apps that exceed a child's set age range, and just as easily revoke access through Screen Time if needed. Communication safety now extends to FaceTime and Photos Building on its existing Communication Safety tools, which warn children when sending or receiving explicit content, Apple is adding new capabilities: FaceTime calls: The system will now intervene if nudity is detected during a video call. Shared Albums in Photos: Nudity in shared images will be automatically blurred, and children will be warned before viewing. These additions further Apple's mission to prevent unwanted exposure to explicit content while maintaining user privacy and device control. Enhanced tools for parents and developers The new updates are backed by a robust ecosystem of tools Apple already offers to safeguard children: Screen Time & Ask to Buy : Allow parents to manage screen usage and approve purchases. Find My : Helps locate family members. Made for Kids section : A curated set of age-appropriate apps held to Apple's highest privacy standards. Limits on Apple Ads : Blocks ads for children under 13 and restricts personalized ads for teens. No ad tracking : Developers cannot track or request tracking of child user behavior. In addition, developers have access to several powerful frameworks: ScreenTime Framework : Enables supervision of a child's app usage. Device Activity & Family Controls APIs : Help customize parental control experiences. SensitiveContentAnalysis : Identifies and blurs sensitive imagery in apps. Media Ratings : Allow developers to incorporate parents' film/TV restrictions. Looking ahead With the launch of iOS 26 and its accompanying OS updates this fall, Apple is aiming to deliver a safer, more controlled digital experience for families—without compromising its strict privacy standards. By giving parents smarter tools and giving developers better ways to engage responsibly with young users, the tech giant continues to position itself as a leader in digital wellbeing.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
MENA's digital transformation must not ignore well-being
To the casual observer, the digital transformation sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa region appears dazzling, changing the way people learn, work and connect. With some of the highest internet and smartphone penetration rates globally, the region's transformation is powered by ambitious national visions, youthful populations and robust telecommunications infrastructures. But amid this momentum, the notion of digital well-being is becoming vital to ensure progress does not come at the expense of quality of life. The National University of Singapore has crystallized the concept of 'digital well-being' as the cultivation of a healthy, balanced and meaningful relationship with technology. This means being aware of both the benefits and the risks of online activities, understanding how digital engagement affects mental, emotional and social health, and learning how to manage the factors — such as screen time, online engagement and content exposure — that influence our overall digital experience. Used wisely and responsibly, digital tools can help societies advance in many realms, such as expanding access to knowledge, boosting workplace productivity, promoting creative self-expression and engaging with communities of interest. As governments and policymakers grapple with the implications of a hyperconnected world, initiatives like the Global Digital Wellbeing Index — launched by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture — offer vital insights into how digital technologies affect people's well-being worldwide. This index, the first global benchmark of its kind, draws on 35,000 interviews across 35 countries and 12 pillars, including social cohesion, physical and mental health, the ability to disconnect, information quality, entertainment and culture, and access to services and goods. It aims to capture how equipped countries are to reap digital opportunities while shielding their citizens from risks. While digital technologies have brought undeniable convenience, connectivity and productivity to modern life, their impacts on physical and mental well-being are hard to ignore. Last year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published a report titled 'The Impact of Digital Technologies on Well-Being,' in which it highlighted the growing links between digital tools and well-being. For instance, the report emphasized the growing mental health risks associated with frequent digital technology use, such as anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress. Physically, the extended use of digital technologies has been linked to obesity, poor posture, poor sleep quality, neck and eye strain, and other musculoskeletal issues — primarily due to sedentary behavior and excessive screen time. It is imperative to counter the ever-growing risks of harmful content and misinformation that circulate on digital platforms. Sara Al-Mulla And yet, digital transformation could be a game-changer for the MENA region, unlocking enormous economic and social gains. According to a report published by the World Bank, if digital transformation is leveraged in a competitive manner, the region has the potential to increase gross domestic product per capita by more than 40 percent. Employment in manufacturing could also rise by 7 percent, while tourist arrivals may see a 70 percent jump. Even more promising, digitalization could alleviate long-term unemployment, bringing it to near-zero, while doubling women's participation in the workforce to more than 40 percent. Many countries are already leading the way. Launched in 2021, the UAE's National Policy for Digital Wellbeing was introduced with the aim of fostering safe, purposeful and positive digital communities. Another example is Saudi Arabia's signature Sync initiative, which was launched as part of the country's growing focus on digital well-being. This awareness and preventive program focuses on encouraging healthier tech habits in order to curb the rising toll of screen overuse on society. France offers a compelling case study, as it issued a law in 2017 enshrining the 'right to disconnect,' meaning employees are not obliged to answer work-related calls or emails outside their working hours. Meanwhile, Singapore and the UK have embedded digital mental health frameworks into school curricula. And Australia made global headlines last year by becoming the first country to pass a law banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. To enhance digital well-being in the MENA region, several potential policy and legislative interventions warrant greater attention. Governments should develop evidence-based digital well-being frameworks based on key components that collectively contribute to well-being. Engaging academia would be advantageous in order to examine the impacts of digital technologies on mental and physical health in the region, paving the way for tailored policies, legislation and health services. Education is a logical starting point and schools can embed well-being principles into curricula to empower students to upskill and use digital technologies mindfully, thereby minimizing the detrimental effects on their physical and mental health. For instance, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health tackles this issue on its official website, offering screen time recommendations for children up to 18 years old, in line with guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Governments could also support workshops, community programs and mental health counseling to counter rising incidents of cyberbullying, anxiety, depression and social isolation. At the same time, parents and teachers must be empowered through awareness programs, such as utilizing parental control tools on popular apps. Creating safe digital spaces, particularly for vulnerable groups, calls for strong data protection measures and bold anti-cyberbullying policies. Age-appropriate regulations that protect children online are key and considering capping the time they spend on social media could be worthwhile. Additionally, it is imperative to counter the ever-growing risks of harmful content and misinformation that circulate on digital platforms, such as misleading health information. Connectivity and universal access should remain a priority, particularly with digital economic empowerment being a high priority for MENA governments. This entails investing in strong telecommunications infrastructures and deploying upskilling programs to pave the way for workforces to adopt future-ready jobs. In the workplace, digital nomad visas and flexible work policies should be promoted, with legal protections supporting the right to disconnect from work. The MENA region has the opportunity to carve out a path toward a healthier, more mindful digital society. • Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children's literature. She can be contacted at
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Government urged to ban ‘no ball games' signs to beat childhood smartphone addiction
The Government is being urged to create child-friendly playful neighbourhoods and disrupt the "addictive grip" of smartphones on children's lives. Closures of playgrounds, busier roads, shortened school break times and the dominance of screentime have restricted children's opportunities to play, a report has suggested. Urgent action is needed to create more opportunities for children to play outdoors and away from digital devices and social media, according to a report by the Raising the Nation Play Commission inquiry. It warned: "Too many of our children are spending their most precious years sedentary, doomscrolling on their phones and often alone, while their health and wellbeing deteriorates." The commission was chaired by Paul Lindley, founder of organic baby food manufacturer Ella's Kitchen, in partnership with the Centre for Young Lives think tank, which was co-founded by the former children's commissioner for England Baroness Anne Longfield. It has called on the Government to establish a National Play Strategy for England, backed by an annual £125 million investment and led by a "minister for play". The strategy should include a commitment to a "step-change" in the quantity and quality of children's use of digital devices through stronger regulation, public engagement and information, and addressing addictive "push" factors that have driven children online, the report added. The inquiry has called on the Government to raise the digital age of consent to 16 and introduce a ban on smartphones in schools during the school day. It added that it should become easier for parents to organise "safe play" in their streets, and there should be a national ban on "No Ball Games" signs. A poll of 2,000 parents in England, commissioned by the inquiry, suggested that 55% of parents believe their youngest child plays outside less than they did when they were children. Around three in four (76%) parents agree that people are generally less accepting of children playing outside on the street than when they were a child, according to the poll. The Raising the Nation Play Commission brought together 19 expert commissioners to conduct a year-long inquiry into how play can be restored to every childhood in England. Lady Longfield, executive chairwoman of the Centre for Young Lives, said: "Too many of our children are spending their most precious years sedentary, doomscrolling on their phones and often alone, while their health and wellbeing deteriorates. "It is no coincidence that the least happy generation, the generation with the highest rates of obesity and rising ill health, is the generation that plays less and less. "As we have heard from a swathe of experts and professionals working with children over the last year, play is being squeezed out of childhoods, with drastic implications for children, our economy and public services. "With so much at stake children really have everything to play for: their health, wellbeing, happiness, learning, and development depends on our ability to reignite the role of play. "This report provides a blueprint for how we can get children playing again and also tackle the scourge of addictive doomscrolling, so we can prevent future generations from becoming glued to screens." Technology Secretary Pete Kyle has indicated he is considering an "app cap" for children. On Sunday, the minister signalled he was looking at measures to restrict the amount of time children spend on their phones, including through a possible 10pm curfew. Mr Lindley, chairman of the Raising the Nation Play Commission, said: "Creating truly playful communities is not just about better street design, traffic management, and reduced crime, but also about a reversal of the growing culture of intolerance towards children playing. "This will also encourage more parents to have confidence they can let their children play out more freely, in the knowledge that their children will be both having a great time and are also safe. "We need to give our children back the time, space, opportunity, freedom - and the right - to play again." A Government spokesperson said: "We recognise the vital importance of play and access to nature as part of children's development and wellbeing as we strive to create the healthiest and happiest generation of children ever. "Through our Plan for Change, we are setting young people up to achieve and thrive - both inside and outside the classroom. "We have given hundreds of thousands of children the tools to turn their grey school spaces green as part of our National Education Nature Park, we are opening up grassroots sports to all with £100 million investment in facilities and we are working with experts to develop a framework to improve access to activities outside of school. "Schools already have the power to completely ban phones in the classroom and the overwhelming majority - 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools - limit or restrict use.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Government urged to disrupt ‘addictive grip' of smartphones on children's lives
The Government is being urged to create child-friendly playful neighbourhoods and disrupt the 'addictive grip' of smartphones on children's lives. Closures of playgrounds, busier roads, shortened school break times and the dominance of screentime have restricted children's opportunities to play, a report has suggested. Urgent action is needed to create more opportunities for children to play outdoors and away from digital devices and social media, according to a report by the Raising the Nation Play Commission inquiry. It warned: 'Too many of our children are spending their most precious years sedentary, doomscrolling on their phones and often alone, while their health and wellbeing deteriorates.' The commission was chaired by Paul Lindley, founder of organic baby food manufacturer Ella's Kitchen, in partnership with the Centre for Young Lives think tank, which was co-founded by the former children's commissioner for England Baroness Anne Longfield. It has called on the Government to establish a National Play Strategy for England, backed by an annual £125 million investment and led by a 'minister for play'. The strategy should include a commitment to a 'step-change' in the quantity and quality of children's use of digital devices through stronger regulation, public engagement and information, and addressing addictive 'push' factors that have driven children online, the report added. The inquiry has called on the Government to raise the digital age of consent to 16 and introduce a ban on smartphones in schools during the school day. It added that it should become easier for parents to organise 'safe play' in their streets, and there should be a national ban on 'No Ball Games' signs. A poll of 2,000 parents in England, commissioned by the inquiry, suggested that 55% of parents believe their youngest child plays outside less than they did when they were children. Around three in four (76%) parents agree that people are generally less accepting of children playing outside on the street than when they were a child, according to the poll. The Raising the Nation Play Commission brought together 19 expert commissioners to conduct a year-long inquiry into how play can be restored to every childhood in England. Lady Longfield, executive chairwoman of the Centre for Young Lives, said: 'Too many of our children are spending their most precious years sedentary, doomscrolling on their phones and often alone, while their health and wellbeing deteriorates. 'It is no coincidence that the least happy generation, the generation with the highest rates of obesity and rising ill health, is the generation that plays less and less. 'As we have heard from a swathe of experts and professionals working with children over the last year, play is being squeezed out of childhoods, with drastic implications for children, our economy and public services. 'With so much at stake children really have everything to play for: their health, wellbeing, happiness, learning, and development depends on our ability to reignite the role of play. 'This report provides a blueprint for how we can get children playing again and also tackle the scourge of addictive doomscrolling, so we can prevent future generations from becoming glued to screens.' Technology Secretary Pete Kyle has indicated he is considering an 'app cap' for children. On Sunday, the minister signalled he was looking at measures to restrict the amount of time children spend on their phones, including through a possible 10pm curfew. Mr Lindley, chairman of the Raising the Nation Play Commission, said: 'Creating truly playful communities is not just about better street design, traffic management, and reduced crime, but also about a reversal of the growing culture of intolerance towards children playing. 'This will also encourage more parents to have confidence they can let their children play out more freely, in the knowledge that their children will be both having a great time and are also safe. 'We need to give our children back the time, space, opportunity, freedom – and the right – to play again.' A Government spokesperson said: 'We recognise the vital importance of play and access to nature as part of children's development and wellbeing as we strive to create the healthiest and happiest generation of children ever. 'Through our Plan for Change, we are setting young people up to achieve and thrive – both inside and outside the classroom. 'We have given hundreds of thousands of children the tools to turn their grey school spaces green as part of our National Education Nature Park, we are opening up grassroots sports to all with £100 million investment in facilities and we are working with experts to develop a framework to improve access to activities outside of school. 'Schools already have the power to completely ban phones in the classroom and the overwhelming majority – 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools – limit or restrict use. 'And from July, new rules under the Online Safety Act will require social media platforms to protect children in the UK from seeing harmful content online.'
