It’s not just your willpower—phones are deliberately designed to be addictive. With features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, and personalized content, smartphones keep users engaged longer than they intend. Tech companies use psychological tricks to tap into our need for connection, rewards, and instant gratification, making it harder to put our devices down. As a result, many find themselves spending more time on their phones than they planned, raising concerns about the impact on mental health and well-being.
Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:
VOCABULARY QUESTIONS:
- What does the word, “curb” mean? Ex. There’s an app that aims to curb phone addiction. Make a sentence using the word.
- What does the word “engaged” mean in this sentence? Ex. Our devices are designed to keep us engaged. Use the word in a sentence.
- What does “drastically” mean? Ex. We check our phones a lot. Most of us drastically underestimate how often we do so. Use the word in a sentence.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Do you believe smartphone companies intentionally design their devices to be addictive? Why or why not?
- How has smartphone use impacted your ability to focus or be present in daily life?
- Should tech companies be held responsible for the addictive nature of their devices, or is it up to users to control their own habits?
- What steps can individuals and society take to reduce smartphone addiction without completely giving up technology?