Ah, Digital Wellbeing. Would that everyone understood and practiced the art of finding balance in life. Sadly, you can go just about anywhere and see people glued to their phones as though it was a lifeline to their souls.
I used to be one of them until I realized my health and sanity were dependent on me putting down the screen or staying mindful of my surroundings and how I interact with them.
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Android’s Digital Wellbeing is the component of the mobile OS that is tasked with keeping you mindful. Do you use it? I don’t. Since the feature became a part of the OS, I’ve maybe glanced at it a handful of times — and that was mostly to write about it. The reason I don’t use Digital Wellbeing is that I don’t find it very useful. Sure, it promises to offer some interesting insights, but it fails to make an impact on me or my life.
What could Google do about this?
I have answers.
Hear me out.
1. Integrate it with WearOS watches
When I want to gain insight about my well-being, I generally check my watch, not my phone. Why? I have my watch on 24/7, and it keeps track of the things I need to know about, like sleep, steps, and heart rate. Google needs to integrate Wear OS with Digital Wellbeing so all of those stats are in sync and analyzed. It would be much better to have all of that information in one place instead of having to check my watch, the Pixel Watch app on my phone, and Digital Wellbeing.
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If Google were to place all of that information in the place it should be, I’d be much more inclined to use Digital Wellbeing. Plus, having data from my watch would make Digital Wellbeing more accurate.
2. Easily create reminders to take breaks from using your phone
Digital Wellbeing should allow us to set specific and regular reminders to take breaks. But here’s the thing: My watch sends me reminders to get up and walk at certain intervals. It would be even better if, through Digital Wellbeing, we could set customized reminders to not only move at a specific time but also where and how to move. You could set a reminder after your regular office meeting to take a few laps around the parking lot to decompress from whatever stress the meeting delivered.
Or you could set a regular reminder to meditate in the middle of the day. Whatever breaks you need to make it through the day and give your well-being the attention it deserves.
3. Monitor noise pollution and offer suggestions when it’s too great
Noise pollution is far worse than you think. In our house, when the AC or heat kicks off, there’s a moment of pure bliss when there are no sounds to be heard (our house is very quiet). At that moment, I feel this amazing sense of peace. Android should monitor noise pollution and give you alerts when the decibels could be considered bad for your mental well-being.
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You might think, “I don’t need a reminder to know when things get too loud,” and for that, you are probably correct. But “too loud” is relative, so it would be nice if Android’s Digital Wellbeing could monitor — and alert — for those moments that don’t sound too loud for your mental health but are too loud.
4. Schedule periods when your phone is inaccessible
Every day at 6:00 p.m., I place my phone on its cradle and don’t touch it until morning. This has been the best thing I’ve done for my digital well-being to date. But not everyone is able to do that. What Android’s Digital Wellbeing should be able to do is become inaccessible during specific times set by the user. You could make this as simple as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or bedtime.
The important thing about this feature is that it be user-customizable. When the phone is inaccessible, the only exceptions should be when select contacts try to reach you — then the device could be accessible during the time you speak with or text that contact.
5. Optional pop-up wellbeing questions
Imagine this: You’re going about your day, and your Android phone pops up with the question: What is your happy place? That simple question will make you think about your happy place, which will trigger a brief period of relaxation. During a hectic day, questions like that can make a difference.
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A part of digital well-being is reflecting on the day. When were you most relaxed? What caused you frustration today? How has your mood changed throughout the day? This small addition could make a huge difference for people who forget that reflecting on the day can help you understand your triggers or stressors so you can make changes to avoid them.
6. Keep track of time stationary vs. time moving
My watchMy watch keeps track of my steps, and it is an important motivating tool for most users. I have a friend who religiously gets all of his steps by the end of the day, and it’s done a world of good for him. Being stationary in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, but not moving for long periods is. Digital Wellbeing should keep track of movement — not just steps, but when you moved and how far you moved. Yes, that would require you to carry your phone with you at all times, but a vast majority of people already do.
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With a weekly summary of all movement and stationary times, it would be easier to start forming a plan on how to get up and move more often or to show you how sedentary you’ve become. This is information we should all be keenly aware of.
