So far it’s a little too little, but it’s a first step to balance tech addictions and make tech companies a bit more responsible for addictive habit design.
“We know that our smartphones are making us unhappy. At its annual developer’s conference this week, Google revealed that 70% of its users actually want help balancing their digital lives. What’s not so clear is what the smartphone manufacturers of the world should do about it. After all, it’s in their business interests to make their phones as engaging–or addictive–as possible.
Yet at I/O, Google introduced a clever and aggressive response to its own habit-forming products. It’s a broad initiative called Digital Wellbeing that CEO Sundar Pichai says will ultimately affect every Google product. “It’s clear that technology can be a powerful force, but it’s equally clear that we can’t just be wide-eyed about [it],” said Pichai on stage at Google’s I/O conference. “We feel a deep sense of responsibility to get this right.”
www.fastcodesign.com/90171307/go
Google’s Plan To Make Tech Less Addictive
Just don’t quit entirely, okay?
Here is a good set of ideas from Tristan Harris (who actually kickstarted this whole google wellbeing thing) on how to move yourself to a driver seat when it comes to everyday technology use: humanetech.com/take-control/
Take Control of Your Social Media Use for Well-being
Social media competes for your attention and can hijack your behavior. Follow these steps to change how you use apps by setting goals and working with others.