[re-al]

There is an interesting point there - that new things are compelling in a way that can't really justify the effort we put into it. That radio was compelling in its time. I don't have a problem with using the word 'addiction' though.

But the tech we have now is coming through much faster - there is no way that we can play with it in our 'natural' way (over years) and overcome it. I think it is an overwhelming change.

[dalbasal]

I think it's worth noting a difference between first & second hand perspective. It's generally other people (eg parents) who were critical of radio/tv/comic/etc use. They call it addiction.

With technology "addiction," there is a lot of first hand experience. People consider themselves addicted, and can't stop doing X without external help or abstinence devices.

If someone wants, tries and fails to abstain from anything, is that not an operative definition of addiction?

[re-al]

I think it is an 'operative definition of addiction'.

Words are what we choose them to mean. When I spend hours in front of screens, I don't feel like I have made the best use of my time and I feel like I have been somewhat manipulated in those actions. It does feel like nothing. To me its a negative feeling. 'Addiction' encompasses that mixed feeling, where on reflection I seem to have acted against my own interests.

I'm not even keen on trying to find another word for this - I actually want the negativity associated with a term like 'addiction'. I'm not a masochist, but I don't want to start justifying what seems like bad behaviour as if it was a good thing.

[caddemon]

It seems to me this is the first era where the content is practically endless, which I think is a meaningful distinction that can make phone/social media worse than prior technologies.

Growing up I spent a lot of time on AIM and then texting with one of those keyboard cellphones, but I only messaged with my immediate friend group - so it was limited for the most part to a specific after school window. My grandfather's day used to revolve around his favorite radio shows, but those had a set air time. When they were over, they were over.

Getting invested in books or video games is a bit different, but even those were limited in the sense you would have to pay for each particular book or game, or at least make regular trips to the library.

Now a days there is 0 cost or inconvenience to obtaining more content, with no real time restrictions. So it is all too easy to not realize how long you've just spent on social media or to stay up much too late scrolling on your phone. Filling time with your phone is the path of least resistance moreso than it is something to look forward to.

I think the fact the content has no clear stopping points also contributes to that feeling that you haven't actually done anything after hours on social media. Obviously it is not productive time, but it somehow manages to feel like nothing.