With Christmas just around the corner, this is the calm before the festive rush. From last-minute wrapping to soaking up the excitement, there’s so much to enjoy.

It’s also the perfect time to catch up with friends and family before the chaos begins, reaching out to loved ones to wish them a Merry Christmas and staying connected when it matters most.

That said, spending a little too much time on your phone over the break can sometimes take away from the moment. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to help you avoid overusing your phone this Christmas, so you can stay present and make the most of every moment.

Checking your Screen Time.

Keeping track of your phone use is simple thanks to the screen time data built into your device. You can quickly see how much time you spend on your phone each day, as well as which apps are responsible for those endless scrolling sessions.

If your using a Apple phone you can access your screen time by by the following:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Screen Time.

You then will be given all your data such as daily average time, and all web and app activity times.

For Android users, Follow these steps below.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
3. Tap on the Dashboard to view your screen time.

You then can see a overview of your screen time. You can set limits and timers for each app.

If you have a Google Device follow the steps below.

1. Open the Digital Wellbeing & parental controls section in your device’s settings.
2. Navigate to the Dashboard.

Look for the Screen time section to view your usage data.

With these tools, you can monitor, track, and manage your screen time by setting alerts that remind you when it’s time to log off. On Apple devices, you can even set limits that automatically lock you out of an app once you’ve reached your usage allowance.

All of these settings are fully adjustable, so you stay in control and can tailor them to suit how and how much you use your apps.

How is our screen time affected during Christmas?

At Christmas, we want to capture every special moment, and that’s where our phones come in. However, the pressure to share these experiences on social media can feel especially heavy over the festive break. Staying connected with friends and family often means posting our festive fun for everyone to see, but that constant online connection can quickly become distracting.

Before you know it, you’re glued to your phone, scrolling through everyone else’s highlights. This can lead to comparison, negative emotions, and getting caught up in an idealised version of Christmas, instead of enjoying the moment you’re in.

Studies show that screen time can increase by two to four hours a day over the Christmas period, which, in hindsight, adds up to a lot of missed moments.

Why is screen time so important?

Screen time is important to a lot of phone users as most people feel that they can be throwing precious time away by spending their time glued to the phone. Especially over the holidays, you want to spend this time with your family, soaking up the memories.

By using screen time insights to set boundaries, people can create a healthier mindset and a more balanced environment, not just at Christmas but in the long run.