Even more important than first order effects are any positive feedback loops we can identify. For example, a stressed person escapes into a screen to quiet thei

Even more important than first order effects are any positive feedback loops we can identify. For example, a stressed person escapes into a screen to quiet their own thoughts, and the screen's contents stresses them out. This feedback loop is common to all forms of addiction, but screens are unique in at least three ways. First, they are legal for all ages. Second, they are personally customized to increase usage. Third, unlike drugs which distort reality, screens effectively replace it for the user. It is to be expected that this would have strong cognitive and even epistemic effects on users, and that these effects are self-reinforcing. Neoliberal capitalism is not equipped to either identify or solve these problems. Some attempts are being made ("Calm" apps, self help books, etc) but these are sand castles trying to stem the tide. Society as a whole must recognize that screens exist in a superposition of "encyclopedia", "cigarette", "panopticon", and take steps to regulate their use. A bummer for libertarians, but life-saving for society.