I’ve been experimenting with an iPhone iOS app called Moment, designed by Kevin Holesh. I’m using it to explore ways to enhance my ability for self-monitoring and reflection. Actually, my phone is not my biggest black hole. As you can see from this screenshot from the app, I’m below average in how much I am on my phone. I’m not trying to improve time on phone. I am trying to improve my ability to notice and reflect on how I am using it in the moment (e.g., unconscious stress relief vs intentional choice). And I’m testing it as a tool for families to use to do the same.
This week, I’m using the Coach feature (purple megaphone icon in screenshot below). I’ve written previously about Manoush Zomorodi’s Bored & Brilliant (here and here). Manoush and Kevin initially teamed up in 2015 for the original Bored & Brilliant challenge. I was really happy to see that a 7-day Bored & Brilliant challenge is available when you click the Coach icon.
Here’s some great data from the intro to the course:
Overall, 1,555,582 hours of screen time have been saved across 117,576 completed Bored & Brilliant courses. Each person saved an average of 13H 13M over the seven days. Boom!
If/when you download the app, go to the Settings icon and click on Getting Started for an overview. It will take you less than 10 minutes to read and get oriented. You’lI also find the FAQ there (Settings>Help>FAQ). Read it, really. It’s important to invest a little time upfront in understanding what an app can do (and remember, you’re modeling that investing your time in learning the features is important). I like Kevin’s transparency. He does a good job explaining where your data is stored (only on your phone), why the app uses location tracking, and what they do with any information collected (read the Privacy policy here), including how to delete your data.
Note: Additional features such as Screen-Free Time, Daily Limit, Tiny Reminders are available in a Premium version ($3.99 one-time fee). If you set limits, I encourage you to work together to decide on how much time on device to set. Think of it as an experiment, not a number set in stone. Use the app to help you get a reality check on how much (or how little) you actually use the phone, when use is heavy, and when it’s light. I think the best use of tools like Moment is for discovery and as a conversation catalyst—both for inner dialogue, and with each other. If you notice that your use is really heavy on a particular day, think about what was happening and discuss. What can you learn from the light days?
I have contacted Kevin to find out the status of Moment Family which looks great. I’m not seeing it in Premium, and I’m not finding it in the App Store. I’ll let you know what I learn in another post. And I’m hoping to interview Kevin in the Mindful Digital Life interview series I will be launching in the fall.
From the Getting Started section:
What gets measured gets improved…Moment won’t judge you. It will never call you an addict, but it will show you the truth. It will tell you exactly how much time you’re spending tapping around on your smartphone. For most people, their initial reaction is shock. Most people underestimate their screen time by about 100%. That means you probably thought you were ‘around two hours a day,’ but in reality, you are closer to four.
I’ll be spending time with family, having tea with friends, and cooking more with hours reclaimed which will no doubt reduce my stress levels in a virtuous positive feedback loop. I’ll let you know in future posts how that goes.
Here’s (another) invitation: If you use Moment, let me know what you learn. Use the form here to contact me, and I’ll set up a time to meet for a conversation in Zoom.
An invitation and request
The invitation: Next Tuesday, July 10, I’m hosting the first official Mindful Digital Life Q&A session at 4 pm PDT/7 pm EDT on the Crowdcast platform. Please join me for an hour to talk about parenting, kids, tweens and teens, living well with tech and what gets in the way.
The request: You can ask questions in advance—you’ll see the Ask a Question link at the bottom of the screen once you’ve registered (it’s free). I hope you can attend live, but even if you can’t, you can ask your question in advance. (Crowdcast emails a link to the replay after the event to everyone who registered). So register and jump in there to ask a question or two. A Q&A without questions is like stone soup without the stone. ;D
View the Mindful Digital Life Q&A replay
