Have you, like me, found yourself spending too much time on your handheld computer (eg: your PHONE)? Although there continues to be some debate about “how much is too much”, the evidence would suggest a daily limit of 2 hours (and you’d be surprised how quickly you can reach that daily limit over the course of the day).
From our friends at Open Evidence, “The current consensus in the medical literature is that higher levels of screen time, particularly above 2 hours per day, are associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents, including obesity, depressive symptoms, unhealthy diet, poorer quality of life, and psychosomatic complaints. These associations are supported by systematic reviews and meta-analyses, as well as guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, which recommend limiting recreational screen time to less than 2 hours per day to mitigate these risks.”
In light of all of this, I wanted to share a useful iPhone “tool” I learned about this weekend: Screen Time which is a built-in Apple feature (since iOS 12) that monitors and reports how you use your iPhone and iPad.
Screen Time (Settings → Screen Time)
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Tracks automatically: daily and weekly reports of total screen time.
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Breakdown by app & category (social, productivity, entertainment).
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Features include:
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App Limits: set daily time caps for specific apps.
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Downtime: schedule screen-free periods (e.g., bedtime).
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Always Allowed: select apps available even during downtime.
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Notifications summary: review when/which apps send alerts.
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In more detail:
How to Monitor Screen Usage with Automatic Reports
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Turn On Screen Time
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Go to Settings → Screen Time → Turn On Screen Time.
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Tap Continue, then choose “This is My iPhone” (or “My Child’s iPhone” if you’re setting it up for a child).
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Enable Weekly Reports (Default)
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Once on, Screen Time will automatically track and send a weekly usage summary every Sunday as a notification.
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Set Up Daily Alerts (Workaround)
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Go to Settings → Screen Time → See All Activity.
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Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen (this creates a shortcut widget for daily checking).
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Optionally, set a Daily Reminder in Reminders app linking directly to the Screen Time report.
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Customize App Limits
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In Settings → Screen Time → App Limits, tap Add Limit.
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Choose categories (e.g., Social, Entertainment) → set a daily time cap.
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You’ll get an alert when near your limit.
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Set Downtime for Breaks
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In Settings → Screen Time → Downtime, choose hours when only essential apps (phone, messages) are accessible.
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Helpful for evening cut-offs or sleep hygiene.
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Check it out!
Then get outside, which is even healthier for you…
In health,
Eric Weiss, MD, DTM&H, September 2025
Let’s make a wish…
Little Wishes was founded in the Bay Area in 2003 by two pediatric nurses, who I am proud to call my friends and colleagues, who saw how seriously ill, hospitalized children face not only physical pain but also emotional isolation. Shout out to Laura Euphrat and Joanne Davantes. These children endure long hospital stays, missing school, birthdays, milestones, and often facing life-threatening diagnoses. Little Wishes gives them the power to choose a wish every two weeks, restoring joy, control, and normalcy in an environment that can feel anything but.
Emergency! Bleeding
I’m bleeding! What do I do? Few things are scarier than bleeding. The sight of blood sends some people into panic, and others faint. Realistically, most bleeding is worse than it looks. Your body holds about 5 liters (about 10 pints), and with severe blood loss, you can go into shock, but most bleeding is realistically mild and not likely to send you into any life-threatening condition. It is the lesser bleeds that we are going to mostly talk about today.
It is with a heavy heart and fond memories that I share here the passing of my friend and mentor, Thadeus Taube, who died this past weekend at the age of 94.
Tad and I met as our boys overlapped in age, and the kids spent time at each other’s homes, and in time, celebrating various milestones in Hawaii and Mexico. And in addition to being a friend and father, Tad was busy changing the world. And I do not say that lightly.
Probably more than anyone I know, Tad Taube left the world a better place than he found it. He and his wife, Dianne, have left their mark at Stanford University, all around the Bay Area, and, literally, all around the world. His work in his homeland, Poland, deserves a special shout-out.
This is a nice article describing some of Tad’s work.
And more heartfelt is this beautiful tribute written by his wife, Dianne Taube, President and Vice Chairman, and Shana Penn, the Executive Director of Taube Philanthropies.
“Dear Partners and Friends,
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of beloved husband, father, and distinguished philanthropist, Thaddeus “Tad” Taube, on September 13, 2025, at the age of 94, at his home in San Mateo County, California.
Tad Taube was the founder and guiding light of Taube Philanthropies, known for his unmatched generosity and devotion to family, community, and humanity. For Tad, helping others was never a choice – it was a calling shaped by his own story of survival, made possible through the compassion of others. That recognition became the enduring principle behind his life’s work.
A refugee from Poland who became a pioneering entrepreneur, civic leader, and philanthropist, Tad transformed personal success into a lifelong mission of generosity, advancing education, strengthening civic and cultural institutions, and enriching Jewish life across the United States, Israel, and Poland.
As Founder and Chairman of Taube Philanthropies, Tad championed collaborative giving that multiplied impact through partnerships. Over 30 years, his foundation has distributed significant philanthropic support. As one of Stanford’s primary benefactors, his legacy lives on through the Taube Pavilion at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, the Taube Center for Jewish Studies, and many other initiatives. In 2024 alone, more than 100 grants supported causes ranging from civic and cultural life to humanitarian aid, education, research, underserved youth programs, and Jewish life.
Tad’s philanthropy reflected both urgency and foresight. He was determined not only to address the challenges of his time but also to prepare for those yet to come. While most people his age embraced retirement, Tad remained fully engaged and spirited, devoting his intellect and energy to building institutions meant to outlast him, with a wit as steadfast as his purpose.
We mourn his passing, but we celebrate a remarkable life defined by resilience, vision, and an enduring commitment to building a better world. We will carry forward his mission with the same passion and vigor, fostering a more generous, compassionate, and resilient society.
May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration.
With love and gratitude,
Dianne Taube, President and Vice Chairman
Shana Penn, Executive Director
Godspeed, Tad, I miss you.
בָּרוּךְ דַּיָּן הָאֱמֶת
Baruch Dayan HaEmet, Blessed is the True Judge.
Lastly, TVD Newsletter is a labor of love. If you enjoy reading this, please share widely! Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Please subscribe here.
Yours, in health,
Eric and the TVD MD team…
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general informational and education purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider to discuss whether any treatment, medication, or information is appropriate for you, and for guidance on any emerging updates in care. Never disregard or delay seeking medical advice based on the information provided here.
