Why are we addicted to our screens?

Oct 22, 2024 • Ben Jones

Screens rarely produce meaningful connection. And most, if not all, doomscrolling is a waste of time.

So why do we choose our phones over watching our kids grow up?

It's thought that screens offer the path of least resistance. They provide an instant hit of dopamine without the emotional energy required for real human interaction.

This forms a cultural habit. The tech giants who benefit most from your attention tend to be the ones who perpetuate 'screen-itis'.

But when it comes to building relationships, especially with our kids and families, screens are interruptions. As such, their presence must be limited - or avoided altogether.

If you find yourself constantly reaching for your device, digital wellness expert Nir Eyal suggests:

"Distraction is any action that pulls us away from what we really want to do, whether it's accomplishing a task at home or work, or enjoying time with a loved one.¹"

But what's more important? Consuming content, or connecting with your people?

Not every evening has to involve a screen. It's okay to have an uninterrupted conversation if it helps move the relationship forward.

Psychologists promote "face-to-face interaction over digital connection." Conversation is the epitome of that. In Sherry Turkle’s book Reclaiming Conversation, she explains:

"Face-to-face conversation is the most human—and humanizing—thing we do. Fully present to one another, we learn to listen.²"

Turkle goes on to say that the merit of these conversations builds bonds between family members. Those bonds create trust, which results in resilient, happy homes.

The stop-start nature of checking notifications is in stark contrast to the deep, time-consuming nature of real conversations. Being together creates a state of flow in your relationships. This can't happen with the constant pinging of a screen.

Eradicating this distraction is the essence of what Talking Point Cards was born from. And instead, replace mindless scrolling with engaging, meaningful questions. After all, our mission is to help you put down the phone and truly connect.

If you find your family is suffering from 'screen-itis', you have two courses of action:

1. Create screen-free rituals that your family can enjoy together to replace it.

2. Turn silent evenings into a fun, laughter-filled conversation.

¹ Nir Eyal, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life (BenBella Books, 2019), Chapter 2.

² Sherry Turkle, Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age (Penguin Press, 2015), Introduction, Page 3.