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I think digital addiction is currently the most pervasive public health issue that is also the least recognized. Sure, we made documentaries like the social dil
by louison11 3y ago
I think digital addiction is currently the most pervasive public health issue that is also the least recognized. Sure, we made documentaries like the social dilemma... But whatever... the numbers speak for themselves. Teenagers in the US spend an avg 8 hours/day on the screen.
In this industry people are quick to say "but it's a tool! It depends on how people use it!" But the reality is that we very well know how some specific demographics use it, and we know it's overall not good. Both because of the addictive component, and the bullying/graphic content, etc.
- Aerbil313 3y ago> Teenagers in the US spend an avg 8 hours/day on the screen. That’s shocking! How do people survive over there, wasting a third of their lifetimes and their mental and physical health as well in the process? only ~%20 joking…
- louison11 3y agoIt’s not just “over there,” I believe the numbers are similar if not worse in many Asian countries, and only slightly lower in Europe. Teenagers don’t typically need to survive. Half of it is probably throughout the day at school, in class, in between classes and in public transportation. And the rest is likely at night instead of socializing/studying/sleeping. We hosted two teenagers from UK and US this summer at two different times, friends & extended family. They both spent a major part of their time locked inside their room scrolling TikTok, then scrolling TikTok some more on the couch of our living room. One of them was open about it and recognized she spends on average 10h/day on it when she’s on holiday. It’s really bad, an entire generation is particularly depressed, desperate and doesn’t know how to stop the pattern. They can be on holiday in a foreign country for the first time, and still struggle not to waste their time on the compulsion, scrolling for hours instead of enjoying discovering something new. I think ultimately what we’re saying is people survive, but it results in ATH all time high rates of loneliness, ATL rates of intercourse, and surprise surprise less babies, less families. Just an overall slowing down of adulting and building one’s life. It’s quite sad.