Woody Harrelson's Anti-Technology Stance: No Cell Phone, Limited Screen Time

Actor and environmentalist Woody Harrelson is outspoken about his rejection of modern-day technology. In a recent podcast interview, he revealed that he doesn't own a cell phone and has strict limits on his screen time.

In an interview on his new podcast, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" with Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson opened up about his unconventional relationship with technology.

Woody Harrelson's Anti-Technology Stance: No Cell Phone, Limited Screen Time

Harrelson revealed that he doesn't possess a cell phone, a choice he made several years ago. He explained that he enjoys restricting access to himself and doesn't like to be "readily available to any human being at any time."

"I just don't like to have, you know, to be readily available to any human being at any time," Harrelson said.

Woody Harrelson's Anti-Technology Stance: No Cell Phone, Limited Screen Time

Ted Danson, Harrelson's co-host, added that his friend is known for being "one of those bullies in life that make other people carry his phone for him."

Harrelson clarified that he doesn't expect others to carry his phone for him, but he does appreciate having limited access to his own device.

Woody Harrelson's Anti-Technology Stance: No Cell Phone, Limited Screen Time

"Well, I just don't like to have, you know, to be readily available to any human being at any time," Harrelson said. "I like to be in touch with people in a way, but I don't like the appendage on my appendage."

Harrelson emphasized that he values personal interactions and doesn't want to be distracted by his phone when he's spending time with others.

Woody Harrelson's Anti-Technology Stance: No Cell Phone, Limited Screen Time

"You know, I made a thing where I'm like, 'Okay, I'm gonna set a two-hour limit on my phone,' because this is, I've given it up now three, three and a half years, but back then I was like, 'Okay, I'm going to set this limit. Two hours.' It's like 9:30. You know, I've already hit my limit at 9:30, so I woke up, and I've been on it two hours already because, cuz you know how it can just keep going and going."

When asked if his two-hour limit applied only to phone calls or also to apps and texting, Harrelson replied that it included all forms of phone use.

Woody Harrelson's Anti-Technology Stance: No Cell Phone, Limited Screen Time

"Texting and, well, I don't know about apps, but texting and also, you know, whatever, so I just finally, I wanted to be able to be in a, like if I were out to dinner with you, right? And there's just a lull in the conversation," he said. "Oh, I'm on the phone. ‘Oh yeah. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.’ You know, and I look and I'm back down to the device and this."

Guest Kristen Bell, who shares two daughters with actor Dax Shepard, shared that her children have made her aware of how much time she spends on her phone.

"But I think once you recognize that, it reshapes, at least it did for me, my whole perspective, and I think my kids had a lot to do with that, too, where I realized they were talking to me and my kids are also very, like, emotionally articulate," Bell said.

"So, if I'd be checking something, even if it would be the most valid thing ever, like, ‘Oh, her Jujitsu class is changing times tomorrow. I need to tell the other moms.' Whatever. A valid thing and one of my kids would look at me and go, 'I just feel like you're disconnected. I don't have your whole attention, Mom,' and I'm like, ‘Oh f---,’" she continued.

Bell expressed that since her daughters have made her aware of her phone usage, she has become more mindful of the time she spends on her device.

Ted Danson, who starred alongside Harrelson in the iconic sitcom "Cheers," expressed his admiration for his co-host's approach to technology.

"Yeah. I admire what you do with phones by the way, Woody. I need to emulate that more."

Harrelson and Danson will continue to explore various topics, including their lives and careers, in their weekly podcast, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name."