po polsku
illustration: DALL-EShe believes society must recognize that children and teenagers are especially vulnerable. Lembke called for smartphones to be removed from schools, especially in early education. She argued that kids should have space to learn and grow without distractions, and teachers should be free to teach. According to her, a phone in a child’s pocket acts like a “digital drug.”
Families, she said, should delay giving children personal devices and use basic phones instead. Monitoring online activity is key. But individual responsibility isn’t enough — Lembke called for systemic action. She proposed age verification laws, algorithm changes, and less addictive app design. Not everything will work, she admitted, but doing nothing isn’t an option.
Lembke also explained that the way societies frame addiction matters. If people treat it as a brain disease, those affected are less stigmatized and more likely to seek help. In contrast, when addiction is shamed, individuals hide their problems and avoid treatment.
She pointed out that China was the first to officially recognize gaming disorder. Chinese authorities classified it under the WHO and launched dedicated treatment centers. The U.S., by comparison, has been slower to address digital addiction, though it leads in treating substance abuse.
Lembke said it`s hard to know how many people will develop media-related addictions, but she estimates it could affect 10 to 20 percent of the population - similar to drug and alcohol addiction rates. She also observed that modern life exposes people to more addictive stimuli than ever: processed food is engineered to be irresistible, social media manipulates social rewards, and even shopping and gaming have become more stimulating.
As technology becomes more immersive, she said, people need to understand the risks. Most will self-regulate, but some won`t. Lembke urged society to act before the damage spreads further.
***
Based on an interview with Anna Lembke for PAP Polska Agencja Prasowa (Nauka w Polsce)
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Cinema in the era of algorithms and AI
Arkadiusz Murenia
Will artificial intelligence kill the creativity of filmmakers? The most honest answer is: no, AI is unlikely to kill the creativity of filmmakers, but it will very clearly change the place where this creativity manifests itself and, above all, how.
Social media, journalism and advertising. Trust in sponsored content study
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Is sponsored content destroying credibility on social media? Research results are ruthless. We trust regular editorial posts in 87.5 percent of cases. When a bank pays for material, the rate drops to 20 percent. Young recipients equate commerce with falsehood.
Most influential women in polish marketing and business
Arkadiusz Zbróg, IMM
Joanna Malinowska-Parzydło, Dagmara Pakulska, Natalia Hatalska, Anna Ledwoń-Blacha, Monika Smulewicz, and Dominika Bucholc. This is the top of the list of the most influential women in marketing and business, developed by the Widoczni agency in cooperation with the Institute for Media Monitoring (IMM).
See articles on a similar topic:
Why do we believe fakes? Science reveals the psychology of virals
KFi
Why do emotions grab more attention than evidence, and why can a fake authority overshadow scientific data? Researchers from Warsaw University of Technology, Jagiellonian University, and SWPS University in Poland sought the answers. Here are their findings.
Television, Trends, and Viewer Habits. EBU Report
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Young Europeans watch television for an average of only 72 minutes a day, and in some countries, less than 30 minutes. Traditional television is giving way to TikTok, Netflix, and YouTube. Viewer habits are changing dramatically before our eyes. What does this mean for the future of media?
Most medical influencer posts on TikTok are FALSE
KFi
Researchers from East Carolina University Health Medical Center analysed 120 TikTok videos tagged with hashtags such as #naturalparenting, #antivaccine, and #holistichealth. The results of their study leave no doubt.
Trust in social media. Youtube beats TikTok and X
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Do we really trust social media? A new study reveals major differences in how top platforms are rated. Trust goes where there's authenticity, not just algorithms. The role of people is growing while brand influence is fading.
