Addiction research has long focused on chemical dependence such as drugs and alcohol, but newer behaviors like excessive video gaming and social media use are only beginning to receive the same level of scientific attention. Many parents worry that their children may be developing addictive habits with these modern technologies. At the same time, game developers and social media platforms are designed to maximize engagement and keep users online for longer periods of time.

So what safeguards exist to prevent technology from becoming manipulative or addictive?

Dr. Puneet Manchanda, the Isidor and Leon Winkelman Professor of Marketing at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, joins us to explore these questions. His research examines how modern digital platforms influence user behavior and what that means for understanding the potential risks of technology-driven addiction.