How Phone Addiction Is Hijacking Our Brains And the Proven Path to Reclaim Focus, Joy and Purpose with Catherine Price

13 snips

Dec 10, 2025

Catherine Price, a science journalist and bestselling author, dives into the profound effects of phone addiction on our brains and lives. She discusses how tech companies exploit our attention and why recognizing digital dependency has surged post-pandemic. Catherine shares insights on the benefits of social media breaks, techniques for a digital Sabbath, and her moving wake-up call during a bonding moment with her daughter. With practical tips and a focus on fostering genuine connections, she provides a roadmap to reclaim joy and purpose amidst our tech-driven world.

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INSIGHT

Attention As A Precious Resource

Catherine Price argues tech companies are monetizing attention and eroding our humanity by design.
Attention is our most precious resource and losing it harms health and meaning.

ANECDOTE

Moment That Sparked Her Mission

Catherine Price describes noticing she was looking at her phone while her newborn looked up at her.
That prompted her to research and write How to Break Up With Your Phone to reclaim presence.

INSIGHT

Defend Mode vs Discover Mode

Defend Mode is a chronic state of anxiety triggered by online interactions and alerts.
Living in defend mode during adolescence risks long-term anxiety and reduced openness.

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This episode is brought to you by BiOptimizers, BUBS Naturals, One Skin, and Birch Living.

We all know technology shapes our lives, but few of us understand the full impact it has on our minds and our happiness. Today’s episode takes a closer look at why our digital habits matter more than ever.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with science journalist and author Catherine Price to unpack the high stakes of not changing our relationship with technology, especially social media. Catherine breaks down the latest research on how tech hijacks our brains and affects long-term brain health. She also shares what sparked her passion for helping people break free from digital addiction, along with practical tips for understanding our doom-scrolling habits and bringing more joy and real connection back into our lives.

Catherine Price is an award-winning science journalist, bestselling author, and leading voice on how to build healthy relationships with technology. Her books include How to Break Up With Your Phone, The Power of Fun, and The Amazing Generation (co-authored with Jonathan Haidt). Her TED talk on fun has been viewed over 5 million times, and she writes the popular Substack newsletter How to Feel Alive. A dynamic speaker and workshop leader, Catherine has presented to audiences at TED, SXSW, Aspen Ideas, Google, Yale, and many others. Across all her work, she helps people of all ages scroll less, live more, and have more fun.

In this episode, Dhru and Catherine dive into:

The hidden dangers of our modern world and what’s really at stake (1:20)
How your phone quietly hijacks your brain without you noticing (4:20)
The latest research revealing the true impact of social media (10:40)
The turning point that pushed Catherine into this work (16:50)
Why constant news alerts put your brain into “defend mode” (21:21)
Simple shifts to bring real connection and joy back into your life (28:45)
Why our brains are longing for a version of fun we’ve lost (38:36)
What heavy smartphone use is doing to your memory (41:36)
The power of a digital sabbath and how to try one (50:06)
How to intentionally connect with people without relying on screens (57:04)
Are we quietly abusing technology without realizing it? (1:02:11)
Why social media may be uniquely harmful for women and girls (1:07:06)
Practical steps anyone can take to create real change (1:14:11)

Also mentioned in this episode:

Amazing Generation book

For more on Catherine, follow her on Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Substack, BlueSky, or visit her Websites: https://catherineprice.com/ and https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book/amazinggeneration

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