Digital wellbeing pills

The paradox of our time is solving a tech problem by adding more technology.

Why is everybody trying to solve a tech problem (Smartphone Addiction) by adding more technology? Do we really need another app (on our phone) to solve our addiction to these omnipresent devices? Perhaps we should note that the problem is that we use our smartphones for literally EVERYTHING: calls, texting, social media, reading the news, watching TV, listening to music, tracking workouts, writing notes, checking calendars, alarm-clock, purchasing clothes, food, anything; flirting / dating, taking a taxi, driving (GPS), checking the weather, meditation, catching a thief (home security), etc. The list is endless.

What’s the real problem? Well, basically the fact that we do everything with and on our smartphones.

As a marketer and specifically as a Insights and Analytics lead in my previous life, I can tell you that if the Smartphone Addiction issue has been picked up by the people working in the advertisement industry, it means it’s relevant. There’s no smoke without fire.

Every time I mention the term “phone addiction” and make the affirmation in the headline, my friends look at me like… What are you saying? You crazy? Is that you...

Over the last 6 months, I’ve been investigating and researching the phone addiction topic and basically, some people consider it just an harmfulness addiction while another group believes we are facing the new tobacco or the new sugar. There is indeed a lot buzz going on and the media has covered it with a great sensationalist touch. I heard crazy things like Smartphones are like “digital heroin for children” or “People would rather give up sex than their phones”. A round of applause for these headlines, please.