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Decline in teen drug use continues, surprising experts

(arstechnica.com)
349 points pseudolus | 1 comments | 17 Dec 24 23:44 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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vouaobrasil ◴[20 Dec 24 19:19 UTC] No.42474017[source]▶
I wonder if the new drug of choice is actually technology. In some ways I think that the addiction to technology has some similar mellowing effects as drugs. Some research indicates that smartphone addiction is also related to low self-esteem and avoidant attachment [1] and that smartphones can become an object of attachment [2]. The replacement of drugs by technology is not surprising as it significantly strengthens technological development especially as it is already well past the point of diminishing returns for improving every day life.

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S07475...

2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S07475...

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card_zero ◴[21 Dec 24 08:56 UTC] No.42478352[source]▶
This is a massively overstated, trendy, technically incorrect thing to say.
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vouaobrasil ◴[21 Dec 24 11:25 UTC] No.42479030[source]▶
Even if technological "addiction" is not like real drug addiction, it is something strange. People constantly checking, scrolling without any real purpose. There's some sort of conditioned behaviour in it that has some facets of addiction.
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astura ◴[21 Dec 24 14:51 UTC] No.42480000[source]▶
How do you know they don't have a purpose? Seems like you're projecting your insecurities on strangers.
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1. vouaobrasil ◴[21 Dec 24 17:47 UTC] No.42481040{3}[source]▶
A lot of people have the same feeling about technology. I personally regulate my technological use fairly stringently. I almost never carry a smartphone with me for instance. It's got nothing to do with personal insecurities. I'm just interested in contributing to a more critical discussion on technology.