Current:Home > NewsAn Economist's Advice On Digital Dependency-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
An Economist's Advice On Digital Dependency
View Date:2024-12-23 11:59:55
American adults spend more than four hours on their mobile phones on average. A lot of that can be for work, convenience, and human connection. But... we all know the guilty feeling when we realize we've accidentally spent hours mindlessly watching YouTube videos or scrolling through social media.
Researchers Hunt Alcott, Matthew Gentzkow and Lena Song wrote a working paper titled Digital Addiction. They conducted a behavioral economics study on digital device usage. By giving people monetary incentives to cut their usage and providing blocking apps, their study participants did substantially reduce their phone usage. Their data suggests that around 31 percent of the people's social media usage is because of problems with self-control.
But there's hope! Lena told us that by using commitment devices like blocking apps, we can overcome that compulsion to constantly check our phones.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PocketCasts and NPR One.
veryGood! (24566)
Related
- When does Spirit Christmas open? What to know about Spirit Halloween’s new holiday venture
- Ranking NFL playoff teams by viability: Who's best positioned to reach Super Bowl 58?
- Prisoners’ bodies returned to families without heart, other organs, lawsuit alleges
- The tribes wanted to promote their history. Removing William Penn’s statue wasn’t a priority
- Jake Paul's only loss led him to retool the team preparing him to face Mike Tyson
- Ava DuVernay shows, 'Gentefied,' 'P-Valley' amongst most diverse on TV, USC reports
- These Are the Key Winter Fashion Trends You Need to Know Now, According to Amazon Influencers
- Pizza Hut offering free large pizza in honor of Guest Appreciation Day
- Louisiana man kills himself and his 1-year-old daughter after a pursuit
- 'Senseless' crime spree left their father dead: This act of kindness has a grieving family 'in shock'
Ranking
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul press conference highlights: 'Problem Child' goads 'Iron Mike'
- What is a spot bitcoin ETF, and how will its approval by the SEC impact investors?
- Germany ready to help de-escalate tensions in disputed South China Sea, its foreign minister says
- Peeps unveils new flavors for Easter 2024, including Icee Blue Raspberry and Rice Krispies
- Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
- Bill Belichick's most eye-popping stats and records from his 24 years with the Patriots
- Study: Bottled water can contain up to 100 times more nanoplastic than previously believed
- FACT FOCUS: Discovery of a tunnel at a Chabad synagogue spurs false claims and conspiracy theories
Recommendation
-
LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
-
US and allies accuse Russia of using North Korean missiles against Ukraine, violating UN sanctions
-
Pat McAfee says Aaron Rodgers is no longer appearing on his show
-
Selena Gomez will portray Grammy-winning singer Linda Ronstadt in upcoming biopic
-
Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
-
Hollywood attorney Kevin Morris, who financially backed Hunter Biden, moves closer to the spotlight
-
Despite December inflation rise, raises are topping inflation and people finally feel it
-
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers announces return to Longhorns amid interest in NFL draft