New York, June 22 : While the sales of the smartphone industry may be thriving, nearly 70 per cent of teenagers have attempted to reduce the time they spend on their smartphone, finds a survey.

The survey, conducted by Screen Education -- a US-based non-profit, showed that 65 per cent teenagers wish that they were better able to self-limit the time they spend on their smartphone.

While 26 per cent wish someone would limit the time they spend on their smartphone for them as they are unable to do so themselves, 37 per cent have tried to persuade a friend to reduce the time they spend on their smartphone.

Further, 35 per cent of the teenagers rued that they are unable to do things they ought to because of spending increasing time on their phones, while 41 per cent blamed phones for getting low grades at school.

"It's time for bold action to address teen smartphone addiction. These kids know their phones are compromising so many aspects of their lives, and they want help," said Michael Mercier, President of Screen Education.

"We can find ways to impose reasonable limits on their screen time and cultivate within them the ability to self-limit their screen time. This will require that we transform our cultural norms regarding screen time, which we most certainly can do," he added.

The 46-question survey involved 1,017 teenagers from grades 7-12.

The survey also revealed that 36 per cent teenagers witness online bullying every week, while over 30 per cent have seen online bullying result in physical violence.

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Panaji (PTI): A court in Goa on Saturday granted bail to right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar, who was arrested after he allegedly made derogatory comments against St Francis Xavier.

Judicial Magistrate First Class, Vasco, granted regular bail to Khattar, currently admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim for treatment of chest pain after he was shifted from the District Hospital in Mapusa two days back.

A row erupted after a video of remarks by Khattar, the founder of Sanatan Mahasangh, at an event on April 18 in the presence of Swami Brahmeshanand, State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji (Krishna) Salkar, went viral.

St Francis Xavier is revered as the patron saint of Goa.

The controversial remarks led to the Vasco Police registering an FIR against Khattar on charges of hurting religious sentiments and creating enmity between groups.

He was detained in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, by local police. His custody was later handed over to the Goa Crime Branch, according to officials.