In February of last year, just before the world was engulfed by the pandemic, I had the privilege of stepping onto the TEDx stage to share my insights on a topic that deeply concerns me: the detrimental impact of the Internet on our cognitive functions and its broader repercussions on society. This presentation resonated with many, garnering over 20,000 views and being translated into six languages, a testament to its universal relevance and the urgency of addressing this issue.

Encouraged by the overwhelming response and numerous requests for further exploration, I’ve written this article to delve deeper into the subject. Your enthusiasm and support have been incredibly motivating, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this important conversation.

Let’s dive in

Before we dive into the heart of the matter, I’d like to pose a question that might seem trivial at first glance: do those notification symbols make you uneasy? If so, you’re far from alone.

This question serves as a gateway to a perplexing issue that has captivated my attention: the “productivity paradox.” From 1971 to 2015, we’ve witnessed the explosion of the internet, computers, and smartphones – tools that seemingly promise limitless efficiency. Yet, despite technological advancements (as evidenced by Moore’s Law), worker productivity growth has paradoxically slowed.

 

This paradox highlights a troubling reality: despite the proliferation of technology designed to streamline our work and enhance efficiency, the actual benefits to our productivity have diminished. While several factors contribute to this trend, including demographic shifts and an aging workforce, a significant culprit is our increasing susceptibility to digital distractions. The endless barrage of clickbait, social media notifications, and online content not only diverts our attention but also consumes vast amounts of our time, often leaving us scrambling to meet deadlines and fulfill our obligations. Procrastination runs rampant: it’s 11 PM, the deadline is midnight, and we’re only now starting work because the siren song of distraction was too powerful to ignore.

The damage doesn’t stop at lost productivity. I’ve seen firsthand how technology warps our relationships and even rewires our brains. Friends gather, only to fall silent as they scroll through feeds. A classmate complains about 10-second buffering delays. Instant gratification becomes an expectation, our patience frayed thin. Remember the days of trekking to the video store? That patience is fading.

Engineered Addiction

We’re not designed to resist this onslaught. Sites like Facebook and YouTube are deliberately designed for addiction. They don’t charge us money because we are the product – our data is sold to advertisers. Infinite scroll, notifications…these features exist to keep us hooked, ensuring more data to sell.

“Behind every screen on your phone, there are generally like literally a thousand engineers that have worked on this thing to try to make it maximally addicting. It’s as if they’re taking behavioral cocaine and just sprinkling it all over your interface, and that’s the thing that keeps you like coming back and back and back.”

Aza Raskin

As Aza Raskin, creator of the infinite scroll feature, chillingly compared engineered addiction to effectively “behavioral cocaine.” Research backs this up: studies from ASU in 2015 and an international team in 2019 reveal that internet overuse can mimic the effects of substance addiction on decision-making and impulse control. This is especially alarming considering how young children are now exposed to these dopamine-releasing devices.

The good news is that it’s never too late to reclaim your mind. While I’m not a medical expert, here’s what worked for me:

• Designated Screen-Free Time: Start small (30 minutes) and gradually increase. Surrender your devices to someone you trust during this time.
• Replace the Habit: Don’t just fight the urge, replace it. Read, walk, meditate…allow your brain’s reward system to recover.
• Acknowledge the Addiction: This is the first step towards recovery. It WILL be hard but worth it.

Initiating a digital detox, even for short periods, can be a powerful step toward reclaiming our mental space and restoring our capacity for deep, meaningful engagement with the world around us. Starting with manageable goals, such as designated screen-free times, can gradually help us reduce our dependency on digital stimuli and foster a healthier relationship with technology.

By retaking control of our attention, we regain time, energy, and mental clarity. We can finish work on time, sleep more, connect with loved ones, and find space for contemplation. Let’s choose a life of intention over one of perpetual distraction.

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