I’ve been seeing a lot of research lately that seems to find a correlation between how much time we spend on our phones and our kids’ behavior. Specifically, their bad behavior. The constant distraction of pings and alerts from my phone that takes my attention away from my own kids frustrates them too, especially now that they’re home all day on summer break and I’m trying to juggle work and kids at the same time.
But, I’ve recently found a tip to break the iPhone addiction that really works: setting my screen to black and white. It’s painful, but I have to say, it really works.
Related: The one awesome iPhone feature you might not be using. But should!
Related: 8 smart ways to make your iPhone less distracting, without turning it off
Almost instantly, that desire to grab my phone and check Instagram when I had a couple free seconds went away. Throughout the week at home, I found that I didn’t sit and scroll through my feeds they way I had been, and really didn’t even check it unless I get an alert. (And all this after I’d already cut my notifications way back to only work-related messages).
How to make your iPhone black and white
Related: Teens are taking social media breaks. So, why aren’t we?
So, if you’re ready to go back to the 50s with your black-and-white phone — at least for just a little while — here’s how to do it.
1. Start in your settings app, then tap on General, Accessibility, then Display Accommodations.
2. Then, open up the Color Filters tab and switch them on. One of the options listed is Grayscale. Click that, and your screen will go black-and-white.
There you go! See, aren’t you already less compelled to check it?
Also a lovely way to prank any unsuspecting friend who hands me their phone unlocked… (the locked ones I just open the camera and take silly selfies)… 😉