Apple CEO Tim Cook shares personal rule for screen time: ‘I get a report every week’

Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed his personal rule for managing screen time in an interview with CBS News. The head of the company that created the Screen Time feature admitted he underestimated his own device usage. Cook now receives a weekly report on his screen time, which he found to be "profound." He credits this awareness for dialing back notifications and curbing his phone use.

Cook's philosophy is simple: "If I'm looking at the device more than I'm looking into someone's eyes, I'm doing the wrong thing." Experts agree that excessive screen time can harm attention spans, social interactions, and physical health. Dr. Vidya Nair Chaudhry, an ophthalmologist, warned that reduced outdoor activity due to prolonged screen use could lead to fitness issues and lethargy, escalating into a public health crisis.

Psychologist S Giriprasad emphasized that frequent phone checking disrupts focus by constantly rewiring the brain to jump between tasks, reducing concentration. He suggested completing one task for 20 to 50 minutes before taking a break, turning off notifications, and dedicating specific times to check the phone. Giriprasad's advice includes training the brain with mindfulness exercises, reading, or hobbies, prioritizing sleep, and avoiding phone use before bedtime.