The Science Behind Moving People Away from Screens and Toward Happier, More Fulfilling Lives

Executive Summary

Smartphones and computers have become an integral part of the fabric of modern society. We rely on them every day for the information,communication, work, and recreation opportunities that they provide. Used properly they are a great asset.  Unfortunately, they are simultaneously proving to be a social, mental, and physical health disaster for millions of young people all around the world.  

The sheer number of hours spent on-line, the nature of the content, and deliberate psychological manipulation by Big Tech content providers all contribute to a dramatic increase in apathy, low self-esteem,loneliness, depression, and suicide that has occurred since 2011.  

This paper describes the nature and extent of the problem, the science behind problematic screen use, and how specific psychological tools can be employed to voluntarily move people away from problematic screen use and into happier and more fulfilling lives.

We observe that a toxic combination of technology and psychology are responsible for the current situation.  Only a competing, positive combination of technology, psychology, and a deliberate effort to return people to real-world in-person activities and relationships is likely to correct it.  

Authored by

Kennon M. Sheldon, Ph.D.

Douglas A. Perednia,M.D.