Smartphone makers are embracing digital detox to fight screen addiction

A study by Vivo found parents spend 5.5 hours and children about 4.5 hours on their phones each day

- Gulveen Aulakh

Many adults and youngsters spend nearly a third of their time awake hooked to smartphones—an addiction phone makers are trying to tackle by incorporating features that allow users to meaningfully take time off from their screens.

Smartphone brands such as Vivo, Oppo and HMD have recognized the need for digital detox as a business opportunity, building strategies to cater to a growing preference for switching off—such as Zen Mode by OnePlus.

Vivo, in fact, published a study earlier this month on the impact of smartphones on parent-child relationships. It found parents spend 5.5 hours and children about 4.5 hours on their phones each day, with social media and entertainment consuming a majority of this time.

Vivo found that about 64% of the children who participated in its study felt they were addicted to their phones. About 73% of parents and 69% of children identify excessive smartphone usage as a major source of conflict," Vivo said in its report.

A majority of the children surveyed—94%—said their parents' smartphones should only include essential features such as calling, messaging and camera—excluding gaming and social media.