Warning from Technology Addiction Expert: The Real Problem Isn't the Phone Itself, But the Inability to Put It Down

In today's hyperconnected world, the time we spend in front of screens has unknowingly become a huge part of our lives. Simply watching TikTok or YouTube videos, binge-watching Netflix series, or messaging on WhatsApp can easily take up a few hours of the day. Psychologist and technology addiction expert Montse Freixanet highlights the real danger underlying this situation. According to Freixanet, the important thing is not just measuring how long we use the phone, but also understanding what effect occurs on our emotional well-being when we put the device down. Internet and smartphone addiction emerges today as an increasingly common problem that needs to be taken seriously.

The most important point emphasized by the expert is that the problem lies not in the technology itself, but in our inability to disconnect from it. Although constantly checking the phone is perceived as a perfectly normal behavior today, this situation can cause serious psychological damage in the long run. Addiction to devices develops slowly and eventually turns into an inseparable part of our daily routine; we become integrated with the notifications that direct us from the moment we wake up in the morning. During short breaks throughout the day, such as waiting for public transit, cooking, or waiting in line, automatically reaching for the phone creates a deep sense of need. This behavior pushes us into a cycle that leaves no room for real rest, is constantly filled with content consumption, and makes a life without screens unimaginable.

Constantly looking at a screen also causes distraction and mental fatigue, depleting our brain's capacity. Freixanet speaks of a phenomenon where people merely see without truly looking, where their eyes are on the screen but their focus is entirely elsewhere. The psychologist also notes that intensive phone use blurs the lines between entertainment and constant stimulation, severely altering and reducing our attention span. When the understanding of entertainment, which should be a method of deep focus, turns into a demand for constant stimulation, the quality of mental processing drops, and the person feels a deep exhaustion at the end of the day despite not having done any productive work. The state of 'cognitive impulsivity,' a tendency to rapidly switch from one stimulus to another instead of deeply engaging with content, becomes a problem that negatively affects both work and academic performance.

The underlying root cause of this problem lies in emotional impulses and the psychological anxieties brought about by the modern age. The expert approaches this situation not merely as a technological issue, but as deep psychological problems such as the fear of silence, the fear of missing out (FOMO), and the constant need to be busy. Creating screen-free spaces becomes unbearable for most people due to such psychological dynamics, and the mind is constantly trying to keep itself occupied with new content. Activities like social media or watching series eventually cease to be conscious entertainment and turn into one of the easiest and fastest escapes from disturbing emotions, loneliness, or boredom. Keeping the phone constantly on is, in Freixanet's words, 'like trying to sleep in a room with a light constantly on,' because even though the brain releases dopamine during prolonged scrolling and provides instant relief, it never truly rests.

The steps to be taken against all these negativities are not to disconnect from technology completely, but to learn how to draw healthy boundaries with it. Instead of completely removing the phone from our lives, reviewing and regulating our usage habits offers a much more realistic and lasting solution. Facing the thoughts and emotions that naturally begin to flow when we put the device down is the most important step we can take to protect our mental health. If we want to truly rest and clear our minds, we need to make it a habit to create authentic break spaces away from screens and interruptions. Ultimately, when we consciously rebuild our relationship with screens, we can see that the control over these devices is back in our hands and that our lives have settled into a much more peaceful flow.