The World and Everything In It The tech exit
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Aug 16, 2025 Clare Morell, a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of The Tech Exit, dives into the urgency of breaking kids free from smartphones. She discusses the alarming decline in positive traits among youth due to social media. The conversation highlights the impacts of digital dependency on family dynamics and emotional well-being. Morell shares actionable tips for parents on guiding children through a tech detox, showcasing how reduced screen exposure can significantly enhance family relationships and children's development.
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Parental Controls Often Fail
- Claire Morel found parental controls often fail because kids find workarounds and limits don't stop harmful exposure.
- She concluded a smartphone-free childhood is both necessary and possible after interviewing many families.
Addictive Design And External Influence
- Smartphones are addictive by design, producing dopamine spikes that create chronic cravings and pull kids inward from family life.
- Devices invite the whole internet into parenting, exposing children to strangers and influencers that can undermine parental authority.
Dopamine Highs, Oxytocin Desert
- High dopamine from screens desensitizes kids to real-world pleasures while screens deliver too little oxytocin for deep bonding.
- This dopamine/oxytocin imbalance helps explain rising teen loneliness despite heavy online connection.
