Galaxy Brain Are Your Parents Addicted to Their Screens?
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Dec 26, 2025 Ipsit Vahia, Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at Mass General Brigham's McLean Hospital, discusses the nuanced relationship between older adults and technology. He highlights that their tech use is diverse, often purposeful, and beneficial for staying connected. Vahia warns against overgeneralizing screen time impacts, emphasizing individual context. The conversation covers the potential risks of scams and misinformation while celebrating the advantages of mobility and social apps. He offers practical tips for fostering connections with older loved ones through respectful discussions about technology.
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Phone-Based Retirement Is Emerging
- Older adults are increasingly fluent with smartphones and social media, creating a new 'phone-based retirement' phenomenon.
- The pandemic accelerated adoption by giving retirees time, isolation, and reasons to go online.
Holiday Photos Reveal Divergent Behaviors
- Josh contrasted his kids' balanced off-screen play with his dad's constant screen use during family visits.
- Photos showed kids engaging with grandma while grandpa stayed in the background on his device.
Hospital Ward Shows Excessive Scrolling
- A UK nurse described inpatient patients aged 50–75 spending excessive time on smartphones and iPads while bored or lonely.
- She worried that tech fluency without media literacy led to conspiracy thinking and medical distrust.