Paul Lagier's DIY Desk Companion sits next to your laptop as a little creature that lives completely offline. It is not connected to Wi‑Fi, has no app, and never sends notifications. Instead, it runs its own tiny world on a circular screen, reacting to touch, light, and time with shifting eyes and moods. The whole thing exists as a playful break, closer to a desk toy than a productivity gadget.
The day often begins and ends with a smartphone, from checking notifications before getting out of bed to scrolling in the dark when you should be asleep. Even people who care about design and well-being end up with glowing rectangles on every surface, and that constant presence quietly shapes attention, sleep, and mood more than most of us like to admit. The usual fix is another app that promises to help you use your phone less, which is like asking the problem to solve itself.
Almost every teenager in America is on social media now. The 2024 National Academies report confirmed what parents already suspected: Nearly 100 percent of adolescents have at least one account. And the research keeps piling up about what that's doing to them. Poor sleep. More anxiety. Depression rates are climbing; teens stay up until 2 a.m. and then wonder why they feel exhausted the next day. Middle schoolers compare themselves to filtered, photoshopped versions of reality and somehow expect to measure up.
Have you ever fallen into a black hole on your phone? It might have started innocently enough, maybe a notification or text message. Yet, five hours later, you're swiping through videos as the day fades. Those hours can feel like seconds, leading us to miss out on life. Yet, excessive social media and habitual doomscrolling are becoming increasingly common problems, particularly for young people and young adults.
Managing online activities responsibly helps maintain focus, reduces stress, and encourages a healthier balance between digital and offline experiences. Mindful habits and conscious choices can make digital engagement feel purposeful rather than overwhelming. Developing a structured approach to time spent online also supports wellbeing by preventing digital overload and maintaining clarity of thought. Understanding Digital Boundaries Online platforms provide diverse experiences, from social networking to entertainment.
Smartphones aren't just for calls and texts anymore; they're how most Americans handle just about everything. As of 2023, over 91% of people in the U.S. own one, according to the Pew Research Center, and the average person now spends over four hours a day glued to their phone screen, according to a 2025 eMarketer study. In this article, Spokeo breaks down screen time: How much time people spend on their phones?
Monitoring your phone to check whenever it lights up seems innocent enough -- a minor habit, utterly devoid of consequence. But is this seemingly harmless gesture actually working against you, subtly undermining your privacy, focus, and even your phone's longevity? Placing your phone face down is a small change that can have surprising ripple effects on your digital well-being and device health.
Focus Friend centers around an adorable animated bean who loves to knit and decorate his room. When the user sets a timer in the app, the bean is able to knit in peace-as long as no other apps are opened. Once the time is complete, he produces knitted goods (such as socks) that can be used to purchase quaint little decorations. If he's interrupted, though, his knitting is ruined and he becomes visibly sad.
