Psychology Today · 11 Sep, 20:32 · Technology briefing

Stop Blaming Kids for Technology Designed to Capture Them

A recent Psychology Today article argues against blaming children for their technology usage, asserting that digital platforms are intentionally engineered to capture attention and foster dependency.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

A recent Psychology Today article argues against blaming children for their technology usage, asserting that digital platforms are intentionally engineered to capture attention and foster dependency. The piece highlights how design choices prioritise engagement over well-being, shifting responsibility from users to creators. This perspective challenges prevailing narratives about screen time, urging a systemic view of digital consumption. For professionals, it underscores the growing scrutiny on ethical design and the psychological mechanisms driving user behaviour in the digital economy.

Employer demand for Psychology skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

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