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The Sussexes

Prince Harry has advice for phone addicts

If you are one of those who spend a large chunk of their day on the grid switching over from one social feed to another without taking their eyes off their phone, then Prince Harry has a warning for you.

Speaking at a panel event entitled “Encouraging Happy Young Minds” in Leeds, The fifth in line to the throne suggested that young people need to take a moment to think things over before moving on.

“I read recently that young people check their phones at least 150 times per day,” the prince said. “I’m sure we could all be more effective and efficient if we took a moment to process our thoughts rather than rushing from one thing to the next.”

A recent study by UK mobile technology consultant Tomi Ahonen suggested that people look at their phones once every 6.5 minutes, meaning that they turn their devices on and off at least 150 times throughout waking hours.

The 32-year-old royal also expressed his delight that the Heads Together mental health campaign that he and the Cambridges spearheaded has initiated important conversations around the country.

“I cannot tell you how pleased William, Catherine and I are that the dial seems to have shifted and that there is now greater understanding, compassion and kindness for anyone who opens up about their struggles.

“But let’s not kid ourselves that the job is done – there is much much more that we can do at every level to make conversations about mental health as commonplace as those about physical health.”

Harry has been candid in discussing his own struggle to cope with the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales. His frank chats with several publications have been lauded for encouraging people with similar difficulties to come forward.

The royal’s two-day visit to Yorkshire included several visits to local charities and hospitals.