What’s the difference between your middle-schooler making a dance video and posting it on TikTok? And is an hour of video games the same as an hour-long movie or an hour on Instagram? How does a five-minute work break scrolling Instagram always turn into an hour?

In this week’s episode, Alanna and Milano sit down with social media whistleblower, Max Stossel, who explains why smartphones and social media are so powerful and dangerous for kids. He gives us compelling intel about all the strategy that goes into designing these social media apps—because, a decade ago, he used to be one of the people designing them! (Spoiler alert: We might think we’re using the apps and smartphone, but really they’re using us). 

As Max helps us to understand, addiction to smartphones and social media is as real as any other addition. He shares great tips for undoing the addiction in ourselves and our kids—and seeing every engagement with our phone and social media as a trade. 

In This Episode:

👉 Understanding the trade-offs with smartphones and social media. 

👉 Learning how and why social media apps are designed.

👉 Why kids below certain ages aren’t ready to handle smartphones and social media.

👉 An arsenal of tips for fighting tough battles with smartphones and social media.

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Follow Max: Social Awakening and Center for Humane Technology