Will Storr, reflecting on his own habits, admits: 'I was shocked to find my daily average was over four hours.' This sentiment echoes a growing concern in the UK, where smartphones have become ubiquitous, raising the question: have we lost too much of ourselves to these devices, and is recovery possible?
The Origins of Persuasive Technology
In 2003, Stanford social scientist BJ Fogg published a remarkably prescient book, Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do. It envisioned a future where portable devices would serve as mobile phones, information portals, entertainment platforms, and personal organisers, becoming indispensable to daily life. Fogg argued that such technology could 'suggest, encourage, and reward' users, creating a powerful, almost addictive relationship akin to gambling on slot machines.
Four years later, Apple launched the first iPhone, and Fogg's theories were put into practice. At Stanford University, he taught Behavior Design Boot Camps, which Wired magazine dubbed 'a toll booth for entrepreneurs and product designers on their way to Facebook and Google.' Here, Fogg demonstrated that portable computers could indeed alter human behaviour on a massive scale.
The Screen Time Epidemic
Today, anxiety over screen time spans all generations in the UK. According to Ofcom, nearly a quarter of five- to seven-year-olds own their own phone, with 38% using social media. However, it's not just the young; older adults are equally prone to spending hours on their devices. Storr's own experience highlights this, with his four-hour daily average largely consumed by news websites and YouTube, often before and after sleep.
Academia is divided on the impact of smartphones and social media. Psychologists like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge contend that these technologies make children more anxious, fragile, and depressed, while amplifying political polarisation. Conversely, researchers such as Pete Etchells and Amy Orben argue that the evidence for such claims is thin and inconclusive.
Personal Compulsions and Consequences
Storr describes his smartphone use as compulsive, noting that even when walking his dogs without his phone, he finds himself instinctively reaching for an empty coat pocket. This behaviour reflects a loss of autonomy, driven by the device's design. He reads fewer books, struggles to concentrate on films and TV shows, and watches YouTube more than traditional broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, or Channel 4.
Despite attempts to switch to a 'dumb phone' with minimal apps, the convenience and necessity of features like maps, parking apps, and train tickets have pulled him back. This highlights a broader dilemma: smartphones offer undeniable utility, yet their negative effects are pervasive.
The Social and Psychological Toll
Smartphones have fundamentally altered social dynamics, often for the worse. Storr observes that the world inside these devices has made people angrier, contributing to a more divisive society since 2007. Humans are inherently social beings, wired to seek belonging and value through collaborative groups. When these needs are met, happiness follows; when they are thwarted, anxiety and depression can set in.
Smartphones exploit these instincts by gamifying and monetising social interactions. They don't merely offer connection and status; they strategically withhold these rewards to drive engagement. Outrage over the behaviour of other identity groups, for instance, can feel like a status attack, drawing users deeper into their phones to seek information or launch counterattacks. This reinforces tribal conflicts and social competition, leaving people tired, angry, and suspicious of one another.
The unpredictable nature of rewards—such as likes, reposts, comments, and follower counts—mirrors the mechanics of slot machines, as Fogg predicted. This unpredictability fuels compulsive behaviour, making smartphones hard to resist.
Awareness and Resistance
There is growing awareness of these issues. In the UK, more than 60 Labour MPs have urged the prime minister to follow Australia's lead in prohibiting under-16s from using social media sites. On a personal level, Storr has largely abandoned social media, citing its decline into a platform of endless short videos, dreadful memes, and inane arguments. What was once a useful tool for promotion has been replaced by platforms like X and Bluesky, which he finds ineffective and toxic.
The Future of AI and Human Psychology
Looking ahead, concerns are mounting about emerging technologies. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT currently flatter egos in a somewhat clumsy manner, but they are rapidly improving. Human psychology, as history shows, is highly hackable—whether by dogs over millennia or romance scammers in recent decades.
Rumours of a wearable AI buddy, developed by figures like Sam Altman and Jony Ive, suggest a future where artificial intelligence could become a constant companion, learning about users and offering praise. This has the potential to burrow into our minds, creating a relationship that feels essential and profound—the ultimate realisation of Fogg's vision for technology that 'changes what we think and do.'
As we navigate this digital landscape, the challenge remains: can we reclaim our time and mental well-being from the grip of persuasive technology, or are we destined for deeper entanglement?
