Radical with Amol Rajan Is your mobile phone the best or worst friend you’ve ever had?
10 snips
May 29, 2025 
Beeban Kidron is a digital regulation campaigner and film director most noted for her advocacy for children's rights in the digital world, while Jim Ang is a Professor of human-computer interaction at the University of Kent, specializing in the evolution of mobile technology. They delve into the impact of smartphones on teenagers and the addictive design elements that make them so compelling. The discussion also examines the ethical responsibilities of tech companies and the importance of developing healthier relationships with technology for the sake of family interaction and children's well-being.
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Life Without a Smartphone
- Frank Cottrell Boyce gave up his smartphone three years ago to reclaim his sense of direction.
- He found life without constant distractions allowed for moments of boredom, which he now values as "mind buffering."
Smartphones Extend Human Cognition
- Smartphones act as extensions of human cognition, aiding memory, information processing, and social connection.
- This expansion brings exciting opportunities but also necessitates attention to potential downsides.
Design Drives Smartphone Addiction
- Current smartphone apps are designed for maximum user engagement to create shareholder value.
- This design facilitates addiction rather than prioritizing user well-being and ethical principles.
