Growing up online, Internet addiction rehab, apps borrowing from gambling technology, breaking up with Twitter, Internet as a lifeline, no-smartphone challenge, challenges of constant internet use, digital overload and breaking point, understanding the four steps of the Hook model, addiction vs habit, product responsibility, managing digital overload and detoxing habits.
Technology companies use the Hook Model to build habit-forming products, but excessive internet use can become addictive.
Internet access plays a crucial role in coping and seeking help during times of crisis.
Deep dives
The Hook Model and Internet Addiction
The podcast explores how our constant internet use can be both fine and problematic. It introduces the Hook Model, which explains how technology companies build habit-forming products. The Hook Model consists of triggers, actions, rewards, and investments. Triggers are external notifications that prompt users to open an app or website. The action is the simplest behavior taken in anticipation of a reward, such as scrolling a news feed on Facebook. The reward phase provides variable content, creating uncertainty and keeping users engaged. Finally, the investment phase involves users putting data and content into the platform to improve it. While habit-forming technologies can be used for good, excessive internet use can become addictive.
Internet Addiction and Treatment
The podcast shares the story of Max Gross Handler, who struggled with internet addiction during his college years. Max spent 12 to 14 hours a day on his computer or phone, constantly switching between browsing sites, chatting, playing games, and consuming information. His addiction affected his academic performance, leading him to seek help at a treatment center for internet and gaming addictions. The treatment involved structured activities and groups to address addiction's neurobiology and provide alternative activities. Max's recovery journey involved stages and eventually regained access to technology, managing his internet use through outpatient care and engaging in healthier activities like swing dancing.
The Value of Internet Access in Times of Crisis
The podcast highlights the importance of internet access during times of crisis, using examples from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Maria. In both cases, individuals turned to the internet to share their experiences, seek help, and connect with others. Joshua Cousin, a blogger during Hurricane Katrina, found solace in documenting his experiences online and receiving support. Similarly, in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, internet balloons were used to restore connectivity and enable people to reach out for assistance. The podcast suggests that the desire for internet access in these situations goes beyond addiction and plays a crucial role in coping and seeking help in times of crisis.
What does it mean to grow up online? Veronica Belmont investigates how the www is changing us: our personalities, our bodies, and our brains. A college student shares his experience at rehab for Internet addiction. Bestselling author Nir Eyal breaks down what apps borrow from gambling technology. Writer Heather Schwedel talks about taking a cue from Kanye and breaking up with Twitter. Blogger Joshua Cousins talks about the Internet as a lifeline, in the wake of recent natural disasters. And we challenge a group of brave volunteers with a no-smartphone challenge.
IRL is an original podcast from Mozilla. For more on the series go to irlpodcast.org
Looking to reset your relationship with the Internet? Check out our digital detox kit.
And if you still need something to stop your phone’s constant beep boops, we have the next best thing: an IRL ringtone.
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