Need help with phone addiction

[Goshikk]

I know what you're thinking. What a loser. Who could get addicted to a MOBILE PHONE?

Well me. I want advice from you all.

My main issue is that I put my phone away and I go on a good streak of not using it, but then I am FORCED to use it by some adult life bullshit like having to use an app to access health care stuff. Suddenly the phone is in my hands again, and well, a single Youtube video can't hurt. (It proceeds to hurt)

I don't know what to do anymore. It's like I'm a slave to this silicon and glass brick. I don't want to live this kind of life...

 

[otogirisou]

I mean if it didn't affect your daily life it's not much of a problem.

 

[DjQuick2008]

I threw mine in the river in 2020 and went to a burner phone. Suggest getting a basic phone with no apps on it you'll only need text and phone function. And yeah the government kinda force you to sign into shit and needing a phone in the UK so i get it.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Airplane mode can be a real lifesaver.

Keep that engaged whenever you can and it will soon do a real difference.

 

[DjQuick2008]

Airplane mode can be a real lifesaver.

Keep that engaged whenever you can and it will soon do a real difference.

works for me too.

 

[Sorion]

I downright uninstalled all the games, and most social media from my phone, I only have youtube and telegram installed on it. I use them for very deliberate things like education, communicating with friends, etc.
The worst kind of entertainment is the one who feeds infinite videos to the users, which include: Instagram reels, youtube shorts, ticktok, etc, avoid that kind of social media at all costs, it's not design to help you, it's designed to keep you enganged, because that's how all those media companies make revenue; they make money at your expense, you're just a number to them, so don't let them take advantage of you.
From your youtube account, you can disable youtube shorts suggestions, it doesn't disable the feature completely but it helps a lot

 

[Boo Man]

my phone is basically just an expensive alarm clock
and an .mp3 player
i see alot of anti social cell phone addicts and i dont want to be another zombie
my advice; just leave it at home

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

I use my phone mainly for a lot of things as a clock, MP3 player, web browser or a retro gaming device or whatever it is you can find use for it.

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

Get a basic phone just for calls/texts and leave the smartphone at home for when you're off work/school/errands and have the free time to enjoy it. I don't own a smartphone personally, but I use a simple phone for calls and a tablet at home and this works for me.

 

[DinoRexMax]

I know what you're thinking. What a loser. Who could get addicted to a MOBILE PHONE?

Well me. I want advice from you all.

My main issue is that I put my phone away and I go on a good streak of not using it, but then I am FORCED to use it by some adult life bullshit like having to use an app to access health care stuff. Suddenly the phone is in my hands again, and well, a single Youtube video can't hurt. (It proceeds to hurt)

I don't know what to do anymore. It's like I'm a slave to this silicon and glass brick. I don't want to live this kind of life...

I have purposely shitty data plan on my phone, both to cheapen my phone bills but also to prevent me from ever using data outside my home (since it will cost me an arm and a leg to do so). That means no games or apps in public, or it's coming out of my pay.

So, personally hadicapping yourself is a solid option.

But that only covers when you're out and about....

I got shamelessly addicted to number of iOS games over the years, with this summer I ended falling down the Dokkan Battle rabbit hole. Yeesh, what a waste of my life.

I always end up abandoning them once I can no longer afford to pay it without a credit card. Once F2P becomes P2W is how the road ends. But that doesn't stop me from picking up a new one.

So I've gone from Metal Slug Attacks (and Defend), to Duel Links, to Dokkan Battle, and even Bleach Brave Souls. What's to stop me from picking up One Piece Treasure Cruise or Dragon Ball Legends once the Dokkan Battle train runs it's course?

I can proudly say I've never spent any money on these games, but money you can earn back, it's time that's in short supply.

But, since you're clearly already kicked a porn addiction, I don't really know how kicking a phone habit could be that hard.

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

I know what you're thinking. What a loser. Who could get addicted to a MOBILE PHONE?

Bruh, phone addiction is a really common problem, you're not alone. There's actually a bunch of places to go for help even online if it's really bad.

One thing that I sometimes do is to put a mobile game on auto if I need to do something important. In a weird reverse psychology kind of way, gacha games are so goddamn boring that I would rather do homework. Though that could also just be because I grew up for a decent while before phones became commonplace, so I'm used to playing actually good games above all

Another way is to read a book, watch an anime, draw, whatever. None of which really require your phone. In fact, a few of these can be done on a PC.

There's also a couple screen time limiting options on your phone. Mom tried to do that on me, didn't help but I did abide by it for a while

 

[cjl8336 cjl8336]

no phone when pooping - before you know it an hour has passed

 

[bjork]

Let yourself have things, maybe that next youtube video has subliminal messages on how to win the lottery

 

[DinoRexMax]

Let yourself have things, maybe that next youtube video has subliminal messages on how to win the lottery

 

[Goshikk]

getting a basic phone with no apps on it you'll only need text and phone function

unfortunately here in brazil we don't have normal texts, only whatsapp, so i'm forced to have a smartphone to be a member of society.

Airplane mode can be a real lifesaver

i had never thought of that! thanks

Get a basic phone just for calls/texts

no "texts" here unfortunately, see above

But, since you're clearly already kicked a porn addiction

that did not happen XD this image is from a 2000s website that doesnt exist anymore warning "concerned moms" about the evils of hentai, basically a troll on normies. i thought the picture was funny.

 

[Mopeybloke]

unfortunately here in brazil we don't have normal texts, only whatsapp, so i'm forced to have a smartphone to be a member of society.

We have SMS. It's on every phone. You could delete Whatsapp and just use that. Sadly companies insist on using Whatsapp. I do give up on things for not having it.

 

[DjQuick2008]

I got rid of whatsapp my ex got her hooks into me last year that way unfortunately ive had to stop messaging some friends as well if they need me they will call to the house.

 

[DinoRexMax]

that did not happen XD this image is from a 2000s website that doesnt exist anymore warning "concerned moms" about the evils of hentai, basically a troll on normies. i thought the picture was funny.

*Phew*
I knew that one was going to be kind of a landmine, but when I saw that it was you making the thread (I initially misread this is as "Porn Addiction" at first LOL) I had to take my shot. Thankfully, we we're both just being schmucks.

 

[JG5009]

This is a very real thing, so I doubt anyone here with common sense would laugh at you, the best thing you can do is uninstall anything that may distract you and is not essential, then deactivate the apps in the settings that you can't uninstall and leave that thing visually clean and uncluttered, with the important things accessible right away and nothing else.

You'll see how fast you get bored if you can't do anything without putting the intentional effort of obtaining back access to the distractions.

Another thing you could do is make that thing a fully offline media player, because I really find retro games and series (anime or manga too) to be a good and healthy time killer, way more rewarding than endless social media scrolling and mindless YT video coma. Only you and the stuff that you've selected by hand (it's not infinite either) just for you.

 

[PrismRed]

My solution is by doing the activities that cannot be substituted by smartphone.
Chat with friends? I go to them instead of using whatsapp.
Playing games? well I got consoles.
Watch videos? I have PC.
Somebody need to call me? My number on my old ass early 2000s Nokia is still active, call there.
Need to do some shopping? I'll go to the store and pay by cash, they don't accept cash? Ima drag someone that can pay by app or whatever and gave them the cash.
I do have smartphone but I mostly use it as a sandbox android development tool.

 

[starseeker300]

I know what you're thinking. What a loser. Who could get addicted to a MOBILE PHONE?

Well me. I want advice from you all.

My main issue is that I put my phone away and I go on a good streak of not using it, but then I am FORCED to use it by some adult life bullshit like having to use an app to access health care stuff. Suddenly the phone is in my hands again, and well, a single Youtube video can't hurt. (It proceeds to hurt)

I don't know what to do anymore. It's like I'm a slave to this silicon and glass brick. I don't want to live this kind of life...

no it is not crazy nor does it make you a loser. I would advise reaching out to trustworthy people you know IRL for support and help in this. try joining a support group that specializes in addiction as well

also here are some dumbphones because other people mentioned getting those, see whichever one works for you.

Wisephone by Techless

Wisephone by Techless

wisephone.com

9 Of The Most Minimalist Phones Available In 2025 - SlashGear

Smartphones have a way of sucking us in and never letting go. We checked out some healthy alternatives that might help you conquer the doom scroll.

www.slashgear.com

The 7 Best Dumbphones to Simplify Your Life

Enjoy a digital detox with a minimalist phone for just the basics of making calls and texting.

www.bestproducts.com

You are not in this alone. Many others experience the exact same thing you are going thru. Please dont't feel humiliated by it. Jesus Loves you! God Bless!

 

[garbodorman]

it's fine if you use it for work or the important apps. just don't bring them to the toilet when you are taking a dump.

 

[Zerohour2k12]

My Phone's usually just an mp3 player, making and recieving calls from family. I barely do social media too. Though I got a few games here I rarely play too. Only on when on a car ride or waiting in the hospital lobby. I think you too can cut back with the right activity but you have to be in the mindset to do so.

 

[Goshikk]

We have SMS

Nobody uses it. You're better off talking to a wall.

This is a very real thing, so I doubt anyone here with common sense would laugh at you, the best thing you can do is uninstall anything that may distract you and is not essential, then deactivate the apps in the settings that you can't uninstall and leave that thing visually clean and uncluttered, with the important things accessible right away and nothing else.

That's not feasible... I need my phone to have a web browser, otherwise it barely functions. And it's the app in which I waste the most time

Chat with friends? I go to them instead of using whatsapp.

...lmao. I'm glad you're lucky enough to have this kind of opportunity. I am not.
I hope I can get into university this year so things start to change.

Somebody need to call me? My number on my old ass early 2000s Nokia is still active, call there.

I don't know what country you're from, but spam calls made phone lines impossible to use here. People just get a sim card for the data and put their phones on do not disturb forever.

 

[JG5009]

That's not feasible... I need my phone to have a web browser, otherwise it barely functions. And it's the app in which I waste the most time

I share that feeling too, the only thing left is developing a habit of not using it unless absolutely needed, but that's hard to do, even more when everything needed uses it.