How to outsmart technology to avoid screen addiction?

Photo credit: Forbes

We just can't live without our smartphones, can we? In transport, restaurant, office, and even on holidays, every time and everywhere. Everyone keeps watching the screen on their cell phone.  Why is it so addictive? For entertainment, business, or for the sake of dopamine activation? Brain imaging research is showing that stimulating glowing screens is as dopaminergic to the brain’s pleasure center as sex. Somehow, avoiding using our phones or computers in this technological world is impossible. The key is how to outsmart technology.

First things first, we need to understand why we are obsessed with our screens - either from entertainment of computer games, or staying stunned for social media with our friends, these are more about psychological addiction. 

And a growing mountain of clinical research correlates screen tech with disorders like ADHD, addiction, anxiety, depression, increased aggression, and even psychosis. Most shocking of all, recent brain imaging studies conclusively show that excessive screen exposure can neurologically damage a young person’s developing brain in the same way that cocaine addiction can.

However, in this AI-dominated environment, we can’t avoid technology. But as parents, we should try to feed less or avoid this “electronic pacifier” to our kids in order not to damage their brains and growth. As for adults, be open-minded, not too afraid that AI will replace our jobs, although eventually it will. Risks create opportunities. Embrace AI and adapt to its convenience. Outsmart it by learning the skills to equip yourself. Those who are at severe risk don’t know how to use tech & AI to enhance efficiency in their job.

I’m curious about what our work will be evolving into within the coming 10 years and the very near future!