High Tech Solutions To Manage Smartphone Use

BOSTON (CBS) - Look at people on a street corner, at a coffee shop, or waiting for the T and it is clear the majority of us are addicted to our cell phones.

Now, technology is being used to wean us from our technology.

To get a sense of how big a challenge this might be, we asked people in Coolidge Corner just how dependent they are on their phones.

One woman admitted sleeping with her iPhone.

A man said he would stop and get his phone – before leaving a burning building.

One woman lamented the fact she is addicted to her phone, but said she couldn't do much about it.

Psychotherapist Robert Weiss said separating from a device can be virtually impossible for some people.

"You might be addicted to a particular program or device that brings you something that's so pleasurable, so distracting that you're willing or need to turn your life over to it," explained Weiss.

Jason Bauman is one smartphone user trying to get his life back. For example, he has settings so he is only notified of calls and texts from priority contacts.

"My phone was just constantly going off and it got to be too much, but if I muted my phone entirely, I would miss important messages and I didn't like that," said Bauman.

There are also apps to help reduce the dependency on phones. The "Moment" app tracks the amount of time you spend on the phone and allows a user to set limits.

"Flipd" will send text auto replies indicating a person is unable to respond at that time. It even allows a user to block the use of other apps during certain times.

The 'No Challenge" app asks a user to identify times during the day when they will disconnect. It then tracks activity to make sure you don't cheat.

Bauman thinks these types of apps can be useful.

"They allow me to focus on whatever I'm actually doing and not spending time checking my phone for notifications just to see something I shouldn't be concerned about."

Dr. Weiss believes this approach could have some merit.

"Using an app to calm yourself, distracting yourself, soothe yourself, is not the same getting away from tech. But boy, it's a great way to take few moments out of your day and find some peace, calm and distraction, and who doesn't need that?"