Smartphones: It’s Time to Confront Our Global Addiction | Dr. Justin Romano | TEDxOmaha

We are entering a new pandemic of addiction that might be the most pervasive in human history - and it might surprise you to know that you are probably influenced by it. Follow Dr. Justin Romano as he reveals how smart phones are addictive, ticking dangerously in our pocket, calling to us, delivering on tap, 24 hours a day, adapting to our needs, hacking our addictive tendencies through computer code and creating dependencies. While we may not change our habits, at least we can be aware of them. Dr. Justin Romano is a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at Creighton University. His podcast Millennial Mental Health Channel is a platform to educate the people of all ages on mental health disorders and reduce the stigma around getting help for mental health. Discussing social issues such as cell phone addiction to general education on traditional psychiatric disorders such as depression and personality disorders. His aspirations include increasing access to mental health care in rural areas, advocating for mental health equity in state and federal legislatures, and rethinking traditional medical models to improve care and outcomes. Focus area: Medicine/psychiatry. Exploring the issues of social media and increasing usage of social media platforms by youth and young adults. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@sarahzaza7251]

I think the inventing of the smartphone is a curse more than a blessing

[@mehak7086]

same

[@lifesagiftt]

yes! Everyone keeps saying, "well it's very useful, we can't get rid of them!" But I always think, we have lived hundreds of years without phones, they are not a necessity, it just happens to be that now, everything has been adapted to be acessible through phones, and they have made it a million times harder not to depend on them!! Phones have brought so much trouble it sometimes wrecks my brain how some people just dont see it😣

[@pj7935]

@@lifesagiftt GIRL LITERALLY I feel like as a society there should be a balance between how long you should be on your smartphone.

[@Harteo3917]

They're all smart phones these days apart from the nokia and motorola bricks we can still get in certain stores or online. But the problem is they aren't supporting them for very long anymore because of man made environmental problems and how fast technology is advancing now, so they figured it's the only way to repurpose and recycle while keeping up to date with the next breakthrough in technology. It's already possible to create converters to use current fibre optic broadband wires to create 601 terabyte per second internet🤯i can't keep up anymore lol the only way to limit usage significantly is to use only the cheapest contract plans with only 5 to 10 gigabytes of data so they have to be careful how they use it throughout the month. Computers on the other hand though with unlimited broadband you definitely need to limit screen time on that and frankly so do we adults, the only way to lock us out is to use the parental controls but sadly for those who need computers to work there's no helping them until technology changes to be much healthier.

[@somethink.g]

yes. we were just fine before that.

[@MaineGirlOutdoors]

I've recently gone back to a flip phone after having a smart phone for four years. I feel more peaceful now. ❤️

[@thescrout9831]

Still have a computer though so not much change

[@user-q018]

@@thescrout9831mhmm… you think a computer is the equivalent of a smartphone in terms of convenience? Not so much.

[@janetashbrook5614]

Adults are addicted just as much as children. I live with a phone addict and he is 71 and it is frustrating.

[@orichalcum_plus]

This. Older folks love to jump on the bandwagon of calling Gen Z iPad babies while many of them are just as, if not more, addicted

[@boomafoo9]

Absolutely. Many are, you’re correct. It’s an epidemic not just among young people.

[@Lipripper1047]

The irony in this post.

[@rakesh_sha]

Not irony , it's true

[@SammyMikovoure]

Although, my father lost boredom since he was alone and separated from my mom, I regretted I gave my father with smartphone. And he became addicted with social media esp facebook. I thought older gens will not adjust to the tech difficulties.

[@ericvasquez4038]

I spend the first week of every school year explaining dopamine, phone addiction, and what it does to their focus throughout the day (I teach senior English) The effect lasts one week before they are glued to their screens again.

[@jeremyr9541]

Is there a book that provides the same type of information you teach your students?

[@bethg.5611]

The problem is they've made it impossible to live without them. I can only pay my rent online. I pay my other bills online also. I shop online as there is no grocery store anymore where I live. Just try to find a payphone. I don't know the answer.

[@Melian07]

Yeah, for online banking nowadays it's not sufficient to access it on the computer, for security reasons I'm also required to confirm it on the mobile app every time. Meaning they're making the older version of the online bank (accesible from a website) obsolete in favor of the mobile app because I need the mobile app anyway.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

It saddens me to see a whole family sitting in a restaurant, present, but not present, all sat on their smartphones. Similarly, phone zombies stepping off the pavement in traffic, unable to divert their gaze from whatever fluff they’re looking at on their phone. What on earth is so fascinating? Surely not Facebook or KandyKrush? I get ridiculed for no longer using a smartphone - how will I bank, buy stuff, navigate through a city or message my friends. Well, somehow I manage just fine……however, I don’t know for how long. I’ve already seen older folk excluded from segments of society simply because they can’t use apps, smartphones, or simply don’t want to use them.

[@chloehughes680]

Agreed...schools are scary .EVERYWHERE you look.. a kid is on a cell phone..many lack the important skills they will need in the future and don't put effort into their school work

[@Shobz-e8s]

I am saying this for so long and people don’t take me seriously!! I tell people I’m addicted and it ends up being joked about. At therapy I talk about it and he connects it to my childhood problems but I’m aware of my issues and this feels slightly unconnected, like a bit different! Idk! I think you are dead right about it all. Also my continuous tiredness and restless sleep kicked in slowly with my use of my I phone. I have definitely given up hobbies for it!!! Thank you for this!

[@donjon8382]

Your childhood issue may make it easier for you to fall into the rabbit hole of it all this is true but it still doesn’t take away the major pull technology by itself has to the neutral mind.

[@Shobz-e8s]

@@donjon8382yes I agree and thank you for commenting as a reminder of this video and the fact I am stilladdicted. Okay we keep trying 😂🫠

[@Shobz-e8s]

@@donjon8382 yes I agree and thank you for the reminder of this video coz I is still addicted 😬

[@synthozy]

We can do it, but we won’t. If it’s profitable for the system, they will simply avoid doing it. Modern smartphones were designed to steal our attention 😢

[@Universal.G]

Simple question: Aside from the person themselves realizing the addiction, how would something like this be controlled? Keep in mind that prohibition never works... This is the challenge...

[@craigzilla100]

Ban ALL social media for minors.. this will seriously help.

[@Universal.G]

This is good. There should be an age restriction of 18

[@smallstudiodesign]

Bans, unfortunately, do the opposite of their intentions.

[@Truth5eeker33]

@@smallstudiodesignmake it illegal

[@josephmurphy1459]

Who will enforce the ban? There are so many ways to get around it. And who will be liable? The parents? Well, that wouldn’t be fair in all cases. What about the kids? What are you going to do, fine or imprison a kid? And what about the companies? They don’t have the capability to monitor every single user like that without being massively intrusive and Orwellian. Unless there is a strongly reinforced social norm about age and social media, I don’t think we’ll ever get out of this situation. Plus, most adults are addicted to social media. Adults addicted to social media telling kids they can’t use social media has as much weight as a drunk telling people not to drink.

[@1wandersmann]

that's so naive

[@johnroekoek12345]

I like the mobile phone movement. If 30% takes the simcard out of the smartphone and put it in a old fashioned mobile phone we buy, we won't be forced to let our smartphone become our identity. Although they try to have 100% of the people having a smartphone worldwide. The smartphone can still be used for photos, videos, music etc.

[@9669sumit]

I believe people who are addicted to the phone also want instant gratification. It would be difficult for them to watch this talk in a single way. No doubt why this talk has very few views.

[@LraDelia]

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

[@Shaara1]

I teach in high school. It is impossible to take children off of the phone during class . They don't even hide it under the desk, they rudely refuse to put it down. They rather have written warnings than leave the phone alone. I can't physically take it out of their hands( I have no authority, as teachers have no authority in classrooms anymore to keep order) Once I tried to pull the phone out of a student's hand after telling him for an hour to put it down and as he realised what's happening, he jumped up so angrily that I'm pretty sure he was a hairline away from hitting me.

[@malikgaruba4079]

This is a major topic to look into and focus on. Appreciate this talk.

[@pushparanipiner5116]

Wow…. He’s an amazing speaker….. so much hit home. Really makes me want to change ….

[@i_jetlag]

In all our phones, there's a setting called " Digital Wellbeing". You spent hours scrolling. Now spend 5 mins setting up timers for your apps. Don't start slow and eventually avoid screen time. Start cold turkey. Set your KZbin to 30 mins. Instagram to 10 mins. Chatting applications to 20. Apps you need for your work? Set them to exactly how long you'll have to open them for your job. Don't let the phone control you. Control your phone. Goodluck.

[@UmarKhan-z1c]

At the age of 22. I'm feeling the same as what he is talking about and recently I've checked my phone timing and that shock me 😢 bro it's more then 11 hours the maximum time which is playing games and social media.. So from now i decided that I'll decrease that time to 1 hour a day gradually. And this guy Spot a worse addiction that this and the next generation is facing. Wish me good luck 🤞🏻

[@007kingifrit]

i cal it SMS, social media sickness

[@chriscantor6329]

A while back Australians opposed an identity card as it could be used to invade privacy. Those same people are now happy carrying something far worse.

[@brewire]

the hard thing is that it's so accesible.. you need it for work, to acess the map and go from a to b. my condolences to anyone with a smart phone addiction. imo it can be one of the hardest things to quit, because its not like alcohol where u can lock it away and never touch it again.

[@idlemidlemuh]

It is manageable. Eating disorders are similar. You can not quit eating either. But you can learn new ways. It is hard and takes time, but it is possible nonetheless

[@shamicentertainment1262]

that's why im thinking of getting an apple watch, to replace my phone. still sadly need to keep my iphone, but a watch has most of the essentials I need and can act as a phone. might just keep it in my car or something

[@stevenkrupka3670]

Yeah so, now everyone can hear yu "bla bla bla bla on your iwatch and really be a pain. No , get a flipphone, gone!@@shamicentertainment1262

[@CisneAlacran]

"hold the tech companies accountable" is what should be happening

[@numbercode2486]

💯

[@JeremiahDavid-ll5qo]

@@numbercode2486 no

[@JeremiahDavid-ll5qo]

stop blaming teck compainies

[@PixelPioneer176]

You'd greatly benefit from exploring "A Life Unplugged: Reclaiming Reality in a Digital Age" by Theodore Blazel on this matter. It left a significant impression on me.

[@standclear23]

Hands-down the most important video at the moment in our lifetime…

[@lucastheblackcat]

Hi my name is Lucas…I am addicted to social media.

[@C4MMU5]

Hi Lucas

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’m jacking it in at midnight for the month of October. If I’m happier on November 1st I’ll stay away from it.

[@reefk8876]

Never tell crackheads in denial that they’re crackheads

[@gregroles69]

I've always said when I'm successful enough I won't need a mobile phone anymore. I'm at the point of forgetting where my mobile is for half days now, world still turns.

[@Imorajna]

Just pre-ordered a new lite phone 3. Getting off of smartphone February 2025. Can't wait

[@AnimeNinjaz]

if you cant wait why not just get off it now?

[@Bralor89]

What soothing voice deilvered with such an important topic!

[@xefnu]

I want a flip phone so bad ! Im tired of my smart phone it drains me so much

[@AdrianGalli]

iPhone was not the first smartphone. Nokia, Blackberry, Palm, etc. Al had smartphones before. The addictive nature started more than 20 years ago.

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

100% Correct. I see far too many glued to phones. Oh, and the overwhelming amount of children using smart phones as a pacifier alternative. Parents are so ridiculously incapable of being a proper parent that they just give the child a phone anyway.

[@WinstonTommy]

If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.

[@stellampaltzi3737]

great speach full of truths the world must wake up if it wants to get its life back

[@ChristinaGöbel-s2h]

Yes you can beat this addiction. You go cold turkey and get an old phone without touchdisplay that IS used for calls and texts. You Put your Smartphone (off) in a drawer for 2 weeks. Then you ihr in how much better your Life gets. I use the nothing phone Had helped me massively. Or use apps like minimalist phone

[@III-gn2bo]

BAN VIDEO SHORTS/REELS/TIK TOKS

[@SedonaMasters]

Wonderful analysis of smartphone addiction, with important distinctions. Unfortunately you missed a couple of the deeper points. What's behind the marketing of the phones and social media beyond commodifying consumers. Obviously there's a control of the populace element. Also in your Solutions i'm afraid the tech companies are not going to be good partners. One of the best Solutions is to get a flip phone that only allows phone calls and texts. No internet or social media. That's how I live and it's supported me tremendously mentally physically and emotionally. Also turn off your phone everyday for hours. If you can't do that then you need to get help.

[@elixier33]

Love my phone but I certainly don't use in all the time. I hate tiktok. Guess I'm just different...

[@GoogleUser-ei6nw]

Very important for social health.

[@Tony-Lazuto]

It's warping our reality, i'm so sick of it, i'm buying a flip phone next week and i'm going to destroy this phone.

[@rakitha988]

thanks this really made me get rid of my phone on saturdays

[@mymy3172]

Not addicted to my smartphone but my laptop is another matter.

[@mupfunyaforget]

This is so educational and helpful. Unfortunately, I am watching this on the mobile phone 😢

[@agathabooks9578]

Use journaling as a solution 📓

[@marleyvonhoffstein3193]

Just walked by a local restaurant, saw a family - mother, dad, teenage boy, teenage girl, all looking at their phones, no-one speaking. Just lazy, weak parenting, IMO. How are the children going to learn how to behave on social occasions, contribute to the conversation, show an interest in what others are saying, if parents don't require it or at least set a good example? Or are conversation and social skills irrelevant these days now that (apparently) it's acceptable to just stare at your phone instead of conversing?

[@neo7566]

Parents need to clap down on cellphone use wth their kids especially when they come home. That should be reserved for family time. Also young people have become very socially awkward with 0 person to person interaction & basic people skills. It's a serious problem and a overdue & welcomed TED Talk.

[@chesterxman]

I am 53 years old, a professional, and the only person I know who does not own a cell phone

[@aditya_it_is]

Well done 👌👌👌

[@juliemcdonald1245]

Tamagotchi was a test on humanity. Turn off your haptics, folks.

[@JamesBowkett36]

This guy acts like Gabe from The Office 😄

[@justinromano8632]

I get more Pierce Brosnan vibes, but agree to disagree.

[@flycorvus]

Pocket-Matrix

[@twinspark24]

I watched this video on my smart phone. Instead of talking to my wife. And it gave me a dopamine rush. Are you the one to blame? Or smart phones?

[@oliviapimm]

Thank you for this!

[@kitnoCC]

Thank you so much for this!

[@glenstevenson9274]

I like the world before smartphone. No twitter. .no face book no social media heaven

[@jeffkingston67]

I'm addicted, and a sad thing I did was talk to Chat GPT about my phone addiction while on my phone.

[@alexanders4911]

Did you watch this on your smartphone too??

[@jeffkingston67]

Haha no I made it to my other addiction the PC, which I mostly refer to as work :p@@alexanders4911

[@Tropicalistico]

So when we’ll have a code for this addiction?

[@j00loves00rock]

this is cute, but imagine the huge companies with huge profit that build everything so that it is meant to keep us addicted giving up on it.

[@mroselli]

Addiction is the best term to use!!!!!!!

[@robbrown3543]

The melodramatic tone really hurts this guys presentation although I agree with the argument

[@douglasclerk2764]

I am afraid you're right.

[@pianomanchristopher]

All too true. So what do we do?

[@magic2506]

The cell phone has become a frying pan especially for young society's brain.

[@elizabethdavis3417]

Taking my kids to school in the morning, every kid waiting for the school bus have their faces in their phones. The world is in serious trouble.

[@ThePathOfLeastResistanc]

Look at the adults. Children model.

[@SathiNair-k7p]

No interaction No hobbies, anger issues, no exposure to sunlight,no exercise 🌟🌟🌟 all side effects of Mobile Addiction

[@rickrivethead]

A cyclist nearly went straight into me last week, his face in bedded in his phone!!!

[@gamers-xh3uc]

Not just children everyone

[@wellingtonduarte9592]

They might be reading Shakespeare, who knows..

[@LeftMap]

Watching this and seeing it only has 31,000 views kind of backs the concept that no one wants to face this addiction or talk about it because we are almost all dealing with it in some way.

[@Erica-cf1xb]

Introspection is difficult and the majority been laid their life down or someone else's for the invisible machine they love so much. That's how much people love tech. They rather become mutes and just spy. Ai is stepping in as the parent to go to work while people become useless babies.

[@itsSocratesGoneMad]

Well said, I completely agree.

[@WhyAreYouLettingYourKidUseYT]

Or…maybe YT is suppressing the video because it will cause a hit to their bottom line.

[@akumpi]

It looked interesting but I couldn't watch the guy. It's like I'm watching a comedian doing a bit about public speakers.

[@rosalindmartin4469]

Sweet fella. Studied psych ok. Dint grow up with POGO: "We have found the Enemy! and it is us🙄"

[@adminos15]

Everyone is looking what they are putting in their stomachs. But no one is looking what they are putting in their heads. And thats one million times more important.

[@More_Row]

nobody looks what they put into their stomachs. They just assume it's safe.

[@rickrivethead]

You cant trust either!

[@BenPotts]

both are important and it isn't difficult to put the right stuff into both if you try

[@bark2931]

True. Even half the food is a slow poison. Never ending battle

[@UUdoubleU]

@@More_Rowthats exactly the same thing they did 100,000 years ago. Nothing has changed

[@ryanjones4106]

Who else is watching this while also doom scrolling through the comments? 😅

[@lucapuzzoli8363]

Bro I'm in the underground everyone staring at their mobile 😮

[@zerihunsisay07]

I am here lol😂

[@Toddpeekence]

You too can "multitask"? One screen just isn't enough hey? Gotta have pokemon going on the tablet while you watch the netflix show on the TV, but don't forget zelda on the nintendo switch. All the best, mate.

[@nexx410]

I’m cleaning the bathroom

[@dinis.batalha]

If you scroll down before click the comments tab, only the video apears.

[@davidriddle3496]

My name is David Riddle, I am 71-years old and have been self-employed as an inventor, designer, and manufacturer of technical products for more than 50-years. As a technologist, I have never seen any product available to the consumer, more rapidly adopted than the "highly addictive, fully programmable, hand-held, Pavlovian device known as the smart phone"! I own an internet based marketing and sales corporation, but I do not want, or own a "smartphone", I use a flip-phone. Because of this, I've been a keen observer of how the smartphone has absolutely altered the human experience, and I believe in the future, sociologists and anthropologists will point at Steve Jobs as the "destroyer of the human mind". I also believe that any parent that provides a child with a smartphone or tablet younger than 18-years old, is committing severe child abuse! How can the human mind possibly be introspective, contemplative, imaginative, and creative when it is being bombarded with millions of highly beguiling images, sounds, and texts? I hope the Dr. Romano's video will be watched by many millions, not just thousands of views.

[@jeremywilliams9363]

Thanks for that diatribe nobody's going to read

[@jenmdawg]

It’s not child abuse unless the parent knows it is wrong, hides it or lies about it. Sugar and cellphones have destroyed way more young lives in loving homes than the violence and addiction of troubled homes. Gen Z was the first generation that was 100% born at a time when most women had the array of choices avail to them - the first truly wanted generation is the most damaged and at a time we need them most. The solution? Less screen time and make sugar a controlled substance. Very few will agree with me on this.

[@norbertmayer7005]

There is no issues as long as there are boundaries

[@bethg.5611]

@@jeremywilliams9363 I read it. And I agree.

[@rickrivethead]

And now AI has taken over creativity we haven't any hope at all!!!

[@dschortz]

As a middle school teacher I would really appreciate a video like this that appeals directly to students. My students don’t know what dopamine is capable of. They don’t know what it is. They don’t know they are addicted.

[@iamElon]

Read smartphone dumbphone by John dicey

[@pinguino_de_noche]

@@iamElon Damn Elon, wouldn't have picked you for such a varied reader, muchas gracias.

[@gerberfamify]

Constant cell phone usage and the addiction is real and we all know it and need to acknowledge it . I literally just received an email from my son's high school saying all of their campuses will be self free starting this year. I know the kids and maybe even some parents might complain, but I think it's bold and brilliant and I couldn't be more happier. Our kids will be better for it. Even my 16-year-old who I made a snide comment about their new policy agreed it's best for students. It's not rocket science.

[@gerberfamify]

As a teacher, you should have an opportunity to educate your students. I don't know if you have the ability to show your students what you want in class but I would certainly talk to the principal because this is something that starts at the top.

[@JJ-xj7wg]

Their parents don't want to hear about their own shot out risk reward systems. Just let little Timmy or Jimmy have their electro herion. They're in tic tok withdrawal and I have to call my friends about so and so post on wtfever. Sick sad blind people. Nicholas Kardaras has a great resource in Glow Kids as well as Digital Madness. He's incredibly smart and could be tools to shift perspective or make at least some ripples that lord willing will turn the tide for them.

[@twobirdsstonedatonce]

Honestly can't remember the last time I watched concert footage and didn't see upwards of 70% of the crowd more interested in the "likes" they'll receive from posting their video than they are with actually enjoying the artists in the moment

[@The2realistic]

Yeah. I had a vacation in Hungary recently and went to a ballet at the opera house. Filming was prohibited and they made sure that was followed, so the crowd would be fully immersed in the events on stage. It was a special moment, in these times when everyone carries around their own entertainment device.

[@francescobalzaretti8873]

Society has never been more in conflict with our biology as in the last two/three decades.

[@rosschapman9160]

It's only going to get worse in the near future

[@Punjabnation420]

I'm decided to mitigate phone addiction complete , because I'm 20yr old from India and I realized that I live better life without phone , thatswhy from tomorrow I will gift this phone to my mom who really appreciate my decision and she also demand smartphone for watching youtube videos .. guys please pray for me , most probably you read this comment when I quit so I feel your prayers from nature ❤

[@mohammedarzam3658]

Bro What's the situation now

[@xelnoc8983]

how's he gonna respond if he doesnt have a phone?

[@girlmeetschaos]

hope it's been going well :)

[@josephmurathi8512]

Interesting, hope you succeed

[@NightShade671]

Our society is extremely sick. Phones used to be mounted on walls. Now people can't live without the cell phone addiction in one hand at all times.

[@ThePathOfLeastResistanc]

You are part of the problem too

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

Even social media used to exist in a fixed place, on a computer that people couldn't put in their pocket. That used to make social media an "opt-in" situation where by default we were offline. Smartphones made social media "opt-out" where by default we are online 24/7.

[@sandipagrawaltalks]

Phone addiction often reduces face-to-face interactions, weakening real-life social skills and relationships.

[@zachsalter2131]

This is why I like psychology so much, it raises awareness to stuff like this. I’m 18 and have always thought in the back of my mind that using my phone as much as I do probably isn’t good for me, so I started looking into it more and found this video. Definitely an eye opener for sure.

[@tomwatson7626]

The issue is more complex than we imagine, I think. Like on TikTok you've got thousands of people diagnosing themselves with ADHD and autism, when it's clear that these people are completely addicted to and absorbed by their phones/social media, which in turn has stunted their abilities to socialise and concentrate on anything for a significant length of time. There's all the political misinformation too, with misinfo/conspiracy theories about important issues such as pandemics and vaccines, subjects that can literally change the face of society in a very short space of time.

[@ronthorn3]

Very good points you made. People need self control, but as someone who used to be a drug addict, and I mean the bad kinds, I’m now addicted to my phone, and yah know what, when you go from shooting up random chemicals to just a phone addiction I’d say I ain’t doing so bad lol.

[@jakeamberson6675]

100%. Self diagnosis is rarely an actual diagnosis at all. Most of these ADHD/Autism people are just trying to fit in somewhere. I'm saying this as a father of 4, which includes an actual autistic child with severe behavioural and intellectual challenges.

[@gregweston3770]

Much of the misinformation stems directly from government and the media corporations in regards to the pandemic and MRNA therapies

[@JasonNoto]

Do you trust mainstream news and gov to tell you what to buy into, which so happen to be funded by those disseminating the narratives?

[@numbercode2486]

​@@jakeamberson6675, There might also be a huge concern of misdiagnoses. With phone addiction, people's attention spans are lessened, and because of that, it can be mistaken as ADHD or some other disorder. I am probably one of those people as a matter of fact. Been diagnosed with ADD but I hold some suspicions of it. It's even more relevant because I grew up with screens, especially video games or games on computers, even at a younger age than usual.

[@johnpaul-qk1tz]

Yes, we must hold tech companies accountable, like we did with tobacco companies, to end smart phone addiction 😊

[@DirtTrackRacing410]

I’m vaping while commenting this and watching this video on my phone lmao

[@lidiyahaile4]

@@DirtTrackRacing410 thats sad

[@JeremiahDavid-ll5qo]

no we shouldn,t

[@blackfish9274]

​@@DirtTrackRacing410 Are you also happy? Happy as in fulfilled?

[@mrMagpied]

You can think of it this way. A smartphone is a weapon. And it's pointed at you. Protect your mind.

[@mark9349]

This is great. So true how no one is even acknowledging this addiction. I’ve given up preaching. I just worry about myself now. Thanks Dr Justin

[@blinderII]

...it's because most refuse to see it as, or admit that it's an addiction.

[@jeffmckeon2820]

Thats because there's too much money in it for big tech companies.

[@youtubeuser258]

You can give up preaching about the dangers of smartphones to people, BUT you can still influence the ones around you to live healthier lives.

[@blinderII]

I owned a phone for about 3 months, about 5yrs ago. I simply couldn't stand it, and i can't understand how others do...maybe i missed something. I'm happier without one.

[@Python343]

Probably you didn’t know how to use it properly.

[@loucura_loucura_]

I wish i knew how to stop using my phones. I don’t think i can live without one.

[@emward6858]

@@loucura_loucura_ you can live without a smartphone. There was life before smartphones. Theres ways around everything. You could manage with a flip phone if you wanted to

[@jgal7979]

It’s not that simple, it’s a competitive vicious cycle between peers

[@deathwarmedup73]

It's more likely that he did.@@Python343

[@jongibirdi1394]

Problem is no one looks up or listens long enough to do anything about it.

[@simplyas]

So true

[@caileigh9497]

I’ve been saying this about politics for a long time now. Comments sections filled with “We need to do something!!!!” for years with no organizing. It’s so incredibly sad.

[@aliveonmoonrocks]

It's rough seeing people attack comments who say they aren't addicted by saying "you're commenting on a youtube video!" Like, people can use phones and youtube with self discipline and without addiction.

[@ThePathOfLeastResistanc]

People also love to blame others instead of looking at themselves

[@enzogonzales608]

And you can acknowledge a problem while still trapped within it. As a matter of fact, there's not really anywhere else you could see a problem from, if you're outside of it, then it really isn't a problem

[@Siranoxz]

My whole family and colleges have this problem, while i just sit there without using my phone. I just like face to face talk.

[@ernestb.2377]

I just talked to my 15 years old son. Smart kid, could perfectly read at the age of 4. What I see is that he is becoming less smart every day, to put it gently. He understands this addiction. I will keep trying to explain and set the good example. I just set up my wrist watch to be used as an alarm so I can leave my phone downstairs. The phones are quite distracting. Kids are not able to focus. Their mind is not clear. They have no patience. About the big tech companies. It's not only them, it is a LOT more. What do you think the economical impact would be if we all cut the use of our phones? The capitalism does not want that. They want hard working robots, brain washed and spending their monthly salaries as fast as they come. The phone plays a very big role in that. Phone is ALL ABOUT ADVERTISING, and ADVERTISING IS ALL ABOUT MONEY, and MONEY IS ALL ABOUT CAPITALISM, and CAPITALISM IS DISTROING OUR PLANET AND OUR LIVES. And we are all together in this capitalistic washing machine. Most of us are the laundry, and few of them are pushing the buttons on the machine and programming the machine.

[@Luke-eo6kp]

Don't worry, capitalism will fix this issue.

[@ernestb.2377]

@@Luke-eo6kp Capitalism creates a sick society. Sick and perverse stimuli...

[@yellowyosh470]

Capitalism isn't the issue my friend 😅 one look at history clears that misconception up.

[@numbercode2486]

Capitalism overall is a striving way to build society up. It can only be corrupt when it comes to selling instantly gratifying devices or substances. But Capitalism is still overall the most striving method of a society despite its small growing holes of corruption that can still probably be patched or fixed with change into it's system.

[@dshshetty2880]

I believe social media was just alright (except news outlets on these apps) until TikTok came which then brought IG Reels and it just went overboard with usage, content creation and cringe.

[@marvin8291]

When I was young the few social media websites we had were actually used in a social way. Everything I am using now doesn't help me connect in a "social" way. It's an illusion that creates the feeling being connected with others. Capitalism and psychology combined in a nutshell.

[@viniciusreboucas6099]

Instagram before reels was SO MUCH better 😢

[@erichumber3831]

I'm horrified by what smartphones and screen time is doing to our society.

[@mehak7086]

what are they doing?

[@WorkshopGreg]

My 12 yo is struggling with anger rooted in having screen time limits. Her peers at school don’t have these limits. She’s angry when apps and games she plays glitch out because she doesn’t want to lose her precious screen time to troubleshooting. It’s maddening.

[@ngeee10]

Yikes

[@Ekztazy20]

Tech developers don't call their customers "users" for nothing

[@AllthingsAD]

phone addiction literally ruined my real life.

[@lilianab4756]

😢 I hope things are getting better 🙏

[@mattagamer98]

Same

[@DerpPickles]

Why are some people, like me, not enticed by phones like others? I use around 5 minutes per day. The buzz and dings just annoy me, usually I keep my phone in another room to avoid it. I don't make any conscious effort to avoid it, I just have no desire to use it.

[@nychris2258]

How old are you?

[@DerpPickles]

mid 30s@@nychris2258

[@saposemnocao]

​@@nychris225819 years old. And I am in the same situation he described.

[@ivanvalentin3898]

If i didnt have a business which requires me to have attention to my phone i would use it way less.

[@DerpPickles]

@@nychris2258 mid 30s

[@FObbO7]

Someone said - smartphones make you close to those who are far and far from those who are close

[@EliShanti]

Talking about this is so important...people don't usually believe me when I tell them I feel addicted to my phone ..❤

[@j.dekker5137]

But are you holding yourself accountable and taking steps to decrease your screen time? Because just acknowledging is not enough

[@Erica-cf1xb]

Guess what? Your phone knows so much about you and what it can do to add on the burden. That's the love you pay for monthly, for free, and is rewarded in real life with civil law suits.

[@anujrana7707]

Ditto, they think I'm crazy.

[@zitzong]

When I have traveled on public transport in London, UK sometimes you can see the whole tube carriage on their smart phone. People these days are not aware of their surroundings when they are out in public, its like they are smartphone zombies, they really need to work on reducing the amount of time they are glued to their screens and appreciate the world around them.

[@cristianhernandez7591]

Dr. Justin, you're a wonderful speaker. Thank you for raising awareness of this topic.

[@justinromano8632]

Thank you for your kind words. :)

[@apathyguy8338]

Really because I found it really melodramatic and patronizing. Had me grimacing the whole time.

[@tony.wilson]

​@@apathyguy8338totally agree, wish I had a filter to make his voice sound like a normal person talking.

[@deborac_brasil]

It’s so serious! I don’t know why people laugh about it!!!???

[@deborac_brasil]

It’s too sad that parents are giving tablets or cellphones to the kids just to let them way of bothering them

[@donjon8382]

Well it ain’t like they can go out and play with their friends. Because guess what those are doing? The issue AND the solution is more complex than people think.

[@TheCeciliacalle]

Is it the phone overall or social media more? Meaning, if we talk about dopamine we are talking about pleasure and rewarding, the excitement of getting or achieving something, but if your working through emails and solving situations at work, now schools send homework through apps so everything seems to be contributing to a forced used of a phone, are we getting dopamine hits if we work through emails???

[@RahulSingh-gh1dm]

This video is so underrated