Switching off the colors on your phone and spending half an hour a week pruning your algorithm can help control and improve your online media diet, according to a professor turned “digital nutritionist.” These measures, greyscaling and algorithmic resistance, are recommended by Dr. Kaitlyn Regehr, an associate professor at University College London and a digital literacy expert.
While recent debates have focused on the harm caused to children by social media, Regehr wants to address digital illiteracy among parents so they can better understand their children’s devices and use them safely and effectively. In her book, Smartphone Nation, Regehr recommends starting with a digital “walk-through” of favorite apps with a friend or partner or keeping a “phone-fed journal” to track phone usage.
Turning phone displays to greyscale can quickly and easily show the impact of color and images on user experience and addiction. Algorithmic resistance means controlling your algorithm instead of letting it control you, with Regehr advising making clear choices about what you want to see on your feed, dedicating time each week to finding the best content, and not getting bogged down in low-quality content.
Regehr supports school smartphone bans and campaigns for a smartphone-free childhood but believes education on how to navigate the digital space effectively is critical for children and families. Her book, subtitled “Why we’re all addicted to screens and what you can do about it,” aims to help fill the
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/03/digital-nutritionist-kaitlyn-regehr-parents-phone-use
