Writer Advocates for State Intervention to Combat Smartphone Addiction

Many people are increasingly uncomfortable with how technology companies design platforms to keep users hooked on endless scrolling, a phenomenon reflected in terms like "doomscrolling," "brainrot," and "digital detox." This widespread unease points to a growing dissatisfaction with digital life and concerns about declining reading abilities and attention spans, particularly among younger generations.

Filippa Werner Sellbjer, a doctoral student, argues that the price paid for the pervasive influence of tech companies in our lives has become too high. She believes the question is not whether we should break free from algorithmic control, but how. Sellbjer recounts her own experience at age 22, when she replaced her smartphone with a feature phone. For over seven years, she lived without constant digital feeds, rediscovering deep focus and a childhood joy for reading.

During her time with the feature phone, Sellbjer was often approached by strangers who praised her choice and expressed a desire to do the same. However, these conversations typically ended with a somber acknowledgment of the difficulty involved. Most people hesitate to embrace the challenges of using a feature phone, which lacks access to essential societal functions. Sellbjer eventually had to reconsider her feature phone use as 2G networks were scheduled for shutdown, prompting her to explore ways to return to smartphones without losing the benefits she had gained. She suggests a solution that could lead to more structured political action.