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F*ck, Are Screens Making Us Stupid? With Dr Mark Williams
SEASON 2 > EPISODE 3
Dr Mark Williams
In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by neuroscientist, author and speaker Dr Mark Williams, one of Australia’s leading voices on the impact of screens, devices and technology on the brain.
And honestly… this conversation scared me a little.
Because I went into it asking a question I think a lot of us are quietly wondering:
- 👉 Is my screen time making me less sharp?
- 👉 Is it making my kids less focused?
- 👉 Are we losing our ability to think deeply, remember things, be bored, connect properly and just… be?
And what Mark makes really clear is this:
It’s not just about screens.
It’s about what screens are replacing.
Stillness.
Boredom.
Face-to-face connection.
Movement.
Sleep.
Nature.
Real conversations.
Real life.
✨ If you’ve ever thought:
- “Why can’t I focus anymore?”
- “Why am I always reaching for my phone?”
- “Is this affecting my kids more than I realise?”
- “Am I modelling the behaviour I’m trying to stop?”
This episode is for you.
THIS EPISODE GETS INTO:
- 🧠 What screens are actually doing to our brains
- 📱 Why phones, notifications and constant switching are making us more distracted
- 👧 Why children’s developing brains are especially vulnerable
- 🚨 Mark’s view that this generation may be the first to be “dumber” than their parents
- 🏫 Why screens in schools and edutech may not be helping kids learn
- 😬 The link between screens, stress, cortisol, behaviour and attention
- 💬 Why real-life social connection is one of the best things we can do for brain health
- 🌿 Why nature, boredom and unstructured time are essential, not optional
- 🔕 Why turning off notifications is one of the simplest ways to improve focus
- 🍽 Why phones don’t belong at the dinner table, in bedrooms or in bathrooms
- 💡 Why social media isn’t actually social
- 🤖 What Mark really thinks about AI, smart glasses and the next wave of tech
- 💪 Why creatine may help with memory, attention and brain energy for some people
- ❤️ Why volunteering, community and “gas bagging” might actually help us live longer
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION
Mark doesn’t make this feel like a guilt trip.
He makes it feel like a wake-up call.
Because this isn’t about being anti-technology.
It’s about using technology well.
It’s about remembering that our phones are supposed to work for us, not the other way around.
And the bit that really stayed with me was this:
When we choose presence over distraction…
Connection over convenience…
Real life over constant scrolling…
We’re not just managing screen time.
We’re shaping how our kids think, feel, connect and experience the world.
And maybe we’re also giving ourselves back something we didn’t realise we’d lost.
Our attention.
Our memory.
Our creativity.
Our calm.
Our ability to just be.
ABOUT DR MARK WILLIAMS
Dr Mark Williams is a neuroscientist, author and speaker who helps people understand how the brain works and how modern technology is changing the way we think, learn, focus and connect.
His book Screen Smart Children is a practical guide for parents who want to help their kids thrive in a world that never switches off.
🌐 Learn more: https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/
📘 Read Mark’s book: Screen Smart Children
Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
--------
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
--------
View all episodes
By Dom HindSEASON 2 > EPISODE 3
Dr Mark Williams
In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by neuroscientist, author and speaker Dr Mark Williams, one of Australia’s leading voices on the impact of screens, devices and technology on the brain.
And honestly… this conversation scared me a little.
Because I went into it asking a question I think a lot of us are quietly wondering:
- 👉 Is my screen time making me less sharp?
- 👉 Is it making my kids less focused?
- 👉 Are we losing our ability to think deeply, remember things, be bored, connect properly and just… be?
And what Mark makes really clear is this:
It’s not just about screens.
It’s about what screens are replacing.
Stillness.
Boredom.
Face-to-face connection.
Movement.
Sleep.
Nature.
Real conversations.
Real life.
✨ If you’ve ever thought:
- “Why can’t I focus anymore?”
- “Why am I always reaching for my phone?”
- “Is this affecting my kids more than I realise?”
- “Am I modelling the behaviour I’m trying to stop?”
This episode is for you.
THIS EPISODE GETS INTO:
- 🧠 What screens are actually doing to our brains
- 📱 Why phones, notifications and constant switching are making us more distracted
- 👧 Why children’s developing brains are especially vulnerable
- 🚨 Mark’s view that this generation may be the first to be “dumber” than their parents
- 🏫 Why screens in schools and edutech may not be helping kids learn
- 😬 The link between screens, stress, cortisol, behaviour and attention
- 💬 Why real-life social connection is one of the best things we can do for brain health
- 🌿 Why nature, boredom and unstructured time are essential, not optional
- 🔕 Why turning off notifications is one of the simplest ways to improve focus
- 🍽 Why phones don’t belong at the dinner table, in bedrooms or in bathrooms
- 💡 Why social media isn’t actually social
- 🤖 What Mark really thinks about AI, smart glasses and the next wave of tech
- 💪 Why creatine may help with memory, attention and brain energy for some people
- ❤️ Why volunteering, community and “gas bagging” might actually help us live longer
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION
Mark doesn’t make this feel like a guilt trip.
He makes it feel like a wake-up call.
Because this isn’t about being anti-technology.
It’s about using technology well.
It’s about remembering that our phones are supposed to work for us, not the other way around.
And the bit that really stayed with me was this:
When we choose presence over distraction…
Connection over convenience…
Real life over constant scrolling…
We’re not just managing screen time.
We’re shaping how our kids think, feel, connect and experience the world.
And maybe we’re also giving ourselves back something we didn’t realise we’d lost.
Our attention.
Our memory.
Our creativity.
Our calm.
Our ability to just be.
ABOUT DR MARK WILLIAMS
Dr Mark Williams is a neuroscientist, author and speaker who helps people understand how the brain works and how modern technology is changing the way we think, learn, focus and connect.
His book Screen Smart Children is a practical guide for parents who want to help their kids thrive in a world that never switches off.
🌐 Learn more: https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/
📘 Read Mark’s book: Screen Smart Children
Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
--------
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
--------