The growing amount of time people spend on smartphones and social media is raising concerns about its impact on attention, relationships and everyday life, particularly among young people.

For many, checking a phone has become part of almost every daily activity. People scroll through social media while eating, wait for messages while studying and turn to their phones whenever they have a few moments of free time.

What may appear to be a harmless habit can gradually become difficult to control.

Psychologists and digital-wellbeing experts have increasingly warned that excessive screen use can affect people's ability to concentrate and remain present in their daily lives. Constant notifications and the pressure to respond can also make it difficult for people to disconnect.

Social media adds another dimension to the problem. Platforms are designed to keep users engaged by constantly providing new content. Users can spend hours viewing carefully selected images and videos showing other people's achievements, holidays and lifestyles.

This can encourage unhealthy comparisons, particularly when people compare their everyday lives with the carefully edited versions of other people's lives presented online.

The issue is not that technology itself is harmful. Smartphones and the internet have transformed communication, education, business and access to information. The challenge is finding a healthy balance between digital activity and real-world interaction.

For some people, that balance begins with simple changes.

Putting phones away during meals, turning off unnecessary notifications and taking regular breaks from social media can create opportunities for people to focus on their surroundings and interact with others without digital distractions.

Taking a walk without constantly checking a phone can also provide an opportunity to think, observe and enjoy the environment.

There is also growing recognition that boredom is not necessarily a bad thing. Having periods without constant entertainment can give people time to reflect, develop ideas and engage in activities that require creativity.

For young people especially, developing healthy digital habits may be important as smartphones and social media become increasingly integrated into education, work and social life.

The solution, therefore, may not be to abandon technology but to use it more deliberately.

The internet is unlikely to disappear, and social media will remain an important part of modern communication. However, individuals can decide how much control these platforms have over their time and attention.

The challenge is to remain connected without becoming so connected that the real world is forgotten.

Sometimes, putting the phone down may be the first step towards noticing what has been happening around us all along.