Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Saint Petersburg State University –
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Smartphones and social media create the illusion of productivity, but in reality they drain the psyche. Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and the fear of missing out lead to chronic anxiety and a decrease in intellectual abilities. Children, whose cognitive functions are formed in conditions of hyperconnectivity, are especially vulnerable – their thinking may never reach full maturity.
Olga Shcherbakova explained why banning gadgets in schools (as in China, Australia and the EU) improves academic performance and socialization. Modern children, who are called "digital natives", lose their deep thinking skills because their brains get used to working in conjunction with external devices. Even educational content is not always useful – it is important to be able to distinguish educational materials from "digital fast food". A separate problem is "cognitive reserve": if thinking is not trained in youth, this can lead to early cognitive impairments in the future.
The world is not divided into those who are “dependent” and those who “control.” Most people simply do not realize how much their psyche has already merged with gadgets.
Leading researcher of the Faculty of Psychology of St. Petersburg State University Olga Shcherbakova
There is a way out: consciously limiting screen time, returning to analog forms of learning, and creating an environment where the brain is forced to work independently. But this requires efforts not only at the family level, but also at the level of the entire education system.
She explained how to regain your attention and help children avoid digital degradation, and whether it is worth waiting for government regulation or starting with yourself. And why even adults who consider themselves "confident users" are actually susceptible to digital addiction.
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