Switching off can be surprisingly expensive. Much like the smoking cessation boom of the 1990s, the digital detox business – spanning hardware, apps, telecoms, workplace wellness providers, digital “wellbeing suites” and tourism – is now a global industry in its own right.[...]
Tag: Stolen Focus
Commentary |
Goodbye to the Age of the Book
Reading hasn’t disappeared, but its place in American life is quietly shifting. Long, demanding books are giving way to snippets, screens, audio, and video—and with that shift comes a deeper question about how we think, argue, and learn. What once required patience[...]
News |
New cellphone ban has helped students focus and connect, says Grand Forks Central High School principal
We all know that little buzz in our pocket is a constant distraction—and our students are no different. This year, North Dakota implemented a statewide “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban, taking devices out of students’ hands for the entire school day, including lunch and[...]
Commentary |
Herald opinion: So far, so good with North Dakota’s school cellphone ban
North Dakota banned cellphones in schools this year, and two months in, the sky hasn’t fallen. Governor Armstrong saw what parents and teachers already knew: students are more anxious, less focused, constantly distracted. Similar bans show improved test scores and engagement—Florida’s results[...]
Curio |
A theory why the internet is going down the toilet
If you’ve ever felt like your favorite app or website keeps getting worse, Cory Doctorow has a word for it — and now, a whole book. “Enshittification” lays out how tech platforms win over users, then businesses, and finally ruin the experience[...]
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News |
Social media could be shaping how kids’ brains learn—and not for the better
A major new study is giving parents one more reason to rethink how much time kids spend online. Published in JAMA, the research followed more than 6,000 children starting at age nine and found a clear link between heavier social media use[...]
News |
The Stricter the Cellphone Policy, the Happier the Teacher, Research Finds
For years, teachers have warned that smartphones are hijacking students’ attention — and now, the data backs them up. A new national survey of more than 20,000 educators finds that schools with stricter cellphone policies report happier teachers and more engaged students.[...]
News |
Kansas sues social media app Snapchat for harming teenagers’ mental health and well-being
Kansas is taking Snapchat to court. Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit accusing the platform of preying on teenagers with features that fuel addiction, expose kids to harmful content, and mislead parents about safety. The case cites internal Snap reports and[...]
News |
Cellphone ban means less drama, more focus for some North Dakota students
As students entered their classrooms at Simle Middle School in Bismarck Wednesday morning, they instinctively went to the back of the room where a wall hanger with numbered pockets was attached to a cupboard door, waiting for their cellphones. They slipped their[...]
Curio |
Mobile phones to be banned in Swedish schools — even during recess
Sweden is taking a decisive step in its schools: starting in autumn 2026, mobile phones will be banned not only in classrooms but also during breaks and after-school activities. The goal, according to Education Minister Simona Mohamsson, is to help students focus[...]
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News |
Minnesota sued TikTok for harming youth. Here are the numbers on mental health and social media.
Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday he’s suing TikTok for illegally exploiting young users. The lawsuit resembles a similar suit filed by more than a dozen bipartisan attorneys general last year. They allege that TikTok’s addictive algorithm, which delivers personalized content in[...]
News |
Minnesota sues TikTok, alleging it preys on young people with addictive algorithms
Minnesota has joined a growing list of states taking TikTok to court, accusing the platform of deceiving young users with addictive algorithms that fuel mental health problems. Attorney General Keith Ellison says the case isn’t about free speech but about manipulation and[...]
News |
Students, parents respond to North Dakota school cellphone ban
North Dakota students are heading back to school under a new rule that’s sparking mixed feelings: a statewide ban on cellphones in public school buildings from bell to bell. Starting August 1, phones must be out of sight—even during lunch and passing[...]
News |
What exactly is “brain rot” — and how to identify and overcome it
“Brain rot” — it’s a phrase that sounds dramatic, but it’s struck a nerve in today’s hyper-scrolling culture. Named Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024, it captures what happens when we consume too much short-form, low-effort content, leaving us distracted, drained,[...]
Commentary |
I quit TikTok—and got my attention span back
What happens when you quit TikTok—not just for a weekend, but for good? One Gen Z writer did exactly that and found more than extra hours in the day. They rediscovered long-form stories, watched full movies without grabbing a second screen, and[...]
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