Group Leader: Hello everyone, thank you for joining me today.

Today we're going to

talk about the overuse of digital devices. It's becoming increasingly common for
people to spend hours a day on their phones, tablets, and computers, and we must
address the potential consequences of this behavior. Who would like to start?

Partner A: I can share some statistics that show how prevalent this problem is. A
recent survey found that the average person spends over four hours a day on their
phone, and that number is only increasing. This indicates that overuse of digital
devices is a widespread issue that needs to be addressed.

Partner B: And the consequences of this behavior can be severe. For example, overuse
of digital devices has been linked to poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. It can
also have negative effects on our relationships and our ability to focus on important
tasks.

Partner C: One of the main causes of this problem is the addictive nature of
technology. Companies use tactics like notifications and infinite scrolling to keep us
engaged and hooked on our devices. Additionally, the pandemic has made us more
reliant on technology for work, school, and socializing, which has further contributed
to this problem.

Group Leader: That's a great analysis of the problem. So, what are some possible
solutions we can explore?

Partner A: One solution could be to set boundaries for our device use. For example,
we could decide to limit our social media use to a certain amount of time each day.
We could also turn off notifications for non-essential apps.

Partner B: I think mindfulness practices could also be helpful. We could try to become
more aware of our device use and how it's impacting our mental and physical health.
We could also try to practice mindfulness while using our devices, such as taking
breaks and paying attention to our posture.

Partner C: Another solution could be seeking social support. We could try to find
activities to do with friends or family that don't involve digital devices, such as going
for a walk or playing a board game. We could also try to find support from online
communities or support groups that focus on reducing device use.
Group Leader: Those are all great suggestions. So, which one do we think is the best
solution?

Partner A: I think a combination of all three could work well. Setting boundaries,
practicing mindfulness, and seeking social support could help us develop a healthy
relationship with technology.

Partner B: I agree. It's important to tailor our solutions to our individual needs and
preferences. For example, some people might find that practicing mindfulness while
using their devices works better for them than setting strict limits.

Partner C: And it's important to remember that reducing device use is not just an
individual problem, but a societal one. We need to create a culture that values and
promotes a healthy balance between technology use and other aspects of life.

Group Leader: Excellent points, everyone. Let's continue to work towards finding a
balanced approach to the use of digital devices and promote a healthier relationship
with technology. Thank you for your insights.

Partner A: I have another idea. What if we set a specific time each day when we put
away our devices and engage in non-digital activities, like reading a book or going for
a walk?

Partner B: That's a great idea. We could even make it a group activity and hold each
other accountable.

Partner C: Another solution could be to find a hobby or activity that we enjoy that
doesn't involve digital devices. For example, we could take up painting, hiking, or
gardening.

Group Leader: These are all great ideas. Let's evaluate the solutions we've come up
with so far. Setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, seeking social support, non-
digital activities, and finding a hobby. Which solution do we think would be the most
effective for addressing the problem of overuse of digital devices?

Partner A: I still think a combination of all of these solutions would be the most
effective. It's important to have multiple strategies to address the problem from
different angles.
Partner B: I agree. It's also important to recognize that everyone's relationship with
technology differs, so we need to find what works best for us individually.

Partner C: Yes, and we need to be mindful of how we're using technology in different
contexts. For example, we might need to set different boundaries for work-related
technology versus leisure time use.

Group Leader: These are all great points. It's important to find a solution that is
sustainable and realistic for us individually. Let's continue to work on developing a
plan that works for each of us and hold each other accountable for sticking to it.

Partner A: One more thing we could consider is using apps or tools that help us
monitor and limit our device use. There are a variety of apps available that can help us
track how much time we're spending on our devices and set limits.

Partner B: That's a good point. We could also try turning off our devices or putting
them in another room during certain times of the day to reduce temptation.

Partner C: We could also try to create new habits that promote non-digital activities,
like reading a book before bed instead of scrolling through social media.

Group Leader: These are all excellent suggestions. Let's evaluate our solutions one
last time and decide which ones we want to incorporate into our plan moving forward.
Based on our discussion, it seems like a combination of setting boundaries, practicing
mindfulness, seeking social support, engaging in non-digital activities, finding a
hobby, and using apps or tools to monitor our device use could be effective.

Partner A: Agreed. And we must continue to check in with each other and hold each
other accountable for sticking to our plan.

Partner B: Yes, and we should also be open to adjusting our plan as needed based on
what works best for us individually.
Partner C: Absolutely. We can continue to support each other as we work towards
developing a healthier relationship with technology.

Group Leader: Well said, everyone. Thank you for your contributions to this
discussion. Let's continue to prioritize our mental and physical health by finding a
balance between our use of digital devices and other aspects of our lives.