
She 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
Dead internet theory is a fact. Bots now outnumber people online
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Already 51% of global internet traffic is generated by bots, not people. As many as two-thirds of accounts on X are likely bots, and on review platforms, three out of ten reviews weren't written by a human. Do you feel something is off online? It's not paranoia. In 2025, it's a reality.
The most valuable female personal brands in Polish fashion. IMM report
KFi
The ten most popular people in Poland in the "fashion" category generate over 1.5 billion contacts across all types of media in a year. Their value is nearly 400 million zlotys. The ranking was prepared by the Institute of Media Monitoring for "Forbes Women" magazine.
Disinformation ranks above terrorism as global threat
KFi
According to "International Opinion on Global Threats" by Pew Research Center, a median of 72% of adults across 25 countries view the spread of false information online as a major threat to their country. That number places disinformation at the very top of perceived global dangers.
See articles on a similar topic:
Social Media and Relationships. Interesting Research from Palestine
KFi
What does love look like in the digital age? Does technology bring people closer or push them apart? In an era where Facebook and Instagram replace dinner table conversations, social media has become a new space for marital relationships. Researchers from An-Najah National University examined how technology can build bonds but also sow uncertainty.
Radio Fanatics. Who Listens for One-Third of the Day?
Bartłomiej Dwornik
One in five listeners now spends over 8 hours daily listening to the radio, according to data from the Radio Track study. Since the beginning of the year, the number of these avid listeners has grown by 300,000.
Read digital newspapers and magazines in PDF, EPUB and MOBI [LINK]
AUTOPROMOCJA Reporterzy.info
The most popular daily, weekly, biweekly and monthly magazines in electronic PDF, EPUB and MOBI formats. For reading on a computer, smartphone and e-reader. The latest issues, archive issues and subscriptions are just a few clicks away. Visit our Reporterzy.info Store
Mass Media in Poland
Agnieszka Osińska
Into the decade of years 90. Poland entered with media national, subjected to the political control. Starting from the half of 1989 our media market underwent transformations, biggest probably from the time of the World War II.