behavior, or stimulus related to a behavior, that is both rewarding and reinforcing
The AfD’s smartphone addiction: Should we be glad that no one here is watching TikTok videos out loud?
tagesspiegel.de/politik/handysucht-der-afd-muss-man-schon-froh-sein-dass-hier-niemand-laut-tiktok-videos-schaut-16169543.html
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Bern Ballet dances against smartphone addiction and AI – and wins: «Morgana» leaves behind images that resonate. 👉 More info: Bern Ballet vs. screens: «Morgana» and the digital temptation
Yana's resignation comes at challenging time for Takaichi: Japanese farm minister Kazuo Yana stepped down on Wednesday after coming under fire for remarks about ...
japantoday.com/category/politics/Japan-urges-Russia-to-ensure-impartial-treatment-for-arrested-journalist
psypost.org Oct 14
High smartphone dependency linked to altered time allocation in teens: Teenagers who overuse smartphones often struggle to manage their own learning later on ...
psypost.org/teenage-smartphone-habits-displace-study-time-without-directly-raising-stress/
Addictive behaviour is falling among Portuguese teens, except some: Portuguese teenagers are drinking and using drugs less and facing fewer problems ...
euronews.com/2026/10/12/less-substance-use-and-fewer-problems-among-teens-but-risk-is-highest-for-the-most-vulnera
Study on Brandenburg's youth: Number of vape users has increased more than tenfold
tagesspiegel.de/potsdam/brandenburg/studie-zu-brandenburgs-jugend-zahl-der-vape-konsumenten-hat-sich-mehr-als-verzehnfacht-16117753.html
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Zenbox: Gadget against smartphone addiction and doomscrolling: The Zenbox is a small, round device against the ubiquitous smartphone addiction ...
sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/zenbox-handysucht-nfc-technik-li.3555160
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Screen time survey: Are you addicted to your mobile phone?: Your smartphone use can be addictive. Check your screen time with our guide and take part in the ...
shz.de/deutschland-welt/schleswig-holstein/umfrage-des-tages/artikel/umfrage-zur-bildschirmzeit-sind-sie-handy-suechtig-51451800
How to break free from social media? Tips from Christian Montag: Many people spend far too much time on social media and can't break free ...
faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/mehr-wirtschaft/wie-kommt-man-von-social-media-los-tipps-von-christian-montag-accg-201179142.html
"He was always complaining": 15-year-old stabs his father to death - | Social media addiction as a motive
giessener-anzeiger.de/welt/handysucht-als-motiv-15-jaehriger-ersticht-vater-in-norditalien-zr-94487540.html
Australia proposes to let users switch off social media algorithms with new user-choice rules
khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/australia-switch-off-social-media-algorithms-user-choice
Smartphone addiction, loneliness, a lost generation – | when it comes to children and teenagers, many things sound like a crisis ... Show more
Cell phone addiction, loneliness, poverty – many factors affect children's mental health. In the podcast, psychologist Julian Schmitz discusses the ... Show more
Podcast: (155) Psychologically at the Limit? How Children Are Really Doing
Podcast: (155) Psychologically at the Limit? How Children Are Really Doing
Piano cabaret: Andreas Langsch brings the "Love Algorithm" to Schalksmühle: The piano cabaret artist will perform at 8Giebel on October 16th. In his solo program ...
come-on.de/volmetal/schalksmuehle/klavierkabarett-andreas-langsch-bringt-den-liebesalgorithmus-nach-schalksmuehle-94462917.html
Slovak government proposes banning social networks until age of 16: Slovakia's government approved a bill on Wednesday proposing a ban on use of social networks ...
reuters.com/technology/slovak-government-proposes-banning-social-networks-until-age-16-2026-08-26/
Apps may keep giving us tools to break our addiction to them, but teens aren’t using them
androidauthority.com/instagram-take-a-break-3702952/
The hidden high costs of ‘free-to-play’ videogames show players need better protection, scientists say
frontiersin.org/news/2026/08/21/hidden-high-costs-free-to-play-videogames-players-need-better-protection-frontiers-public-health
Achtzehnjährige verbringen immer mehr Zeit im Netz, vor allem in sozialen Medien: Die Nutzung des Internets stand im Mittelpunkt einer Studie des Instituts für ...
de.euronews.com/next/2026/08/14/achtzehnjahrige-verbringen-immer-mehr-zeit-im-netz-vor-allem-in-sozialen-medien
Meta, other companies must face thousands of lawsuits over child social media addiction, appeals court rules
foxbusiness.com/technology/meta-tiktok-child-social-media-addiction-lawsuits
Podcast: Why it's so difficult to treat cell phone addiction: Addiction expert Oliver Scheibenbogen explains why cell phone addiction shouldn't be ...
falter.at/podcasts/radio/20260809/warum-es-so-schwierig-ist-handysucht-zu-therapieren
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TikTok settling three teen social media lawsuits ahead of trial: NEW YORK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - TikTok has agreed to settle three lawsuits brought by young people ...
thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2026/08/04/tiktok-settling-three-teen-social-media-lawsuits-ahead-of-trial
One in five Israeli women who get cosmetic procedures show signs of addiction, study finds
jpost.com/health-and-wellness/mind-and-spirit/article-903497
Instagram and Facebook fuel 'addictive' behaviour, Commission finds: The European Commission has taken aim at infinite scroll and autoplay on Instagram and ...
euronews.com/next/2026/07/10/instagram-and-facebook-hook-users-with-addictive-design-commission-finds
Key FactsEU Targets Meta's Addictive Social Media Features
Jul 10, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: qz.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: qz.com
- The European Commission found that Meta's Instagram and Facebook use addictive elements like infinite scroll and autoplay, impacting user wellbeing.
- Meta inadequately assessed risks, especially for minors, and overlooked data showing prolonged late-night usage.
- Current safeguards such as time controls and parental restrictions are either easily bypassed or too complex for most parents.
- The Commission demands revamping default settings and recommendation systems, threatening fines up to 6% of Meta's annual revenue.
provides a clear framework to hold platforms accountable for the addictive design and effects of their services.— European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.
Uchter expert on cell phone addiction: More than half want offline time: Smartphones have become virtually indispensable in our lives; people are constantly ...
dieharke.de/lokales/nienburg-lk/uchte/uchter-experte-zur-handysucht-mehr-als-die-haelfte-wuenscht-sich-offline-zeit-NIHMNA3JURBUNJ5CJFOJIGDETY.html
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Social media ban for young people? 🚫 Here's what they have to say. The political debate surrounding a possible social media ban for young people is ... Show more
How embarrassing is your screen time? 🫣📱 We asked around! In our latest street survey, young people pulled out their smartphones and showed us the unvarnished ... Show more
Smartphone addiction: They've all given up their smartphones. It's possible.
zeit.de/campus/2026/03/handysucht-smartphone-soziale-medien-alltag-befreiung
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The Globe and Mail Jun 27
OpinionA crossword puzzle conundrum: Solving them is an addiction, but I’ve been reassured it’s a good one to have
theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-crossword-puzzle-conundrum-addiction-games/
What the heat does to the brain: High temperatures have a negative impact on cognitive abilities and can promote depression, anxiety disorders ...
nachrichten.at/meine-welt/gesundheit/was-die-hitze-mit-dem-gehirn-macht;art114,4182161
Paid articlePaywall Commodore Callback 8020 flip phone for digital detox: Commodore is launching the Callback 8020, a flip phone without social networks or a browser ...
sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/commodore-klapphandy-deutschland-digital-detox-callback-li.3500236
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Betcha can’t eat just one: Addiction to ultraprocessed foods is real and increasing
edition.cnn.com/2026/06/17/health/addictive-ultraprocessed-foods-wellness
Key FactsUK Announces Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Jun 16, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: time.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: time.com
- The UK government plans to prohibit social media use for children under 16 to combat bullying and mental health risks.
- Platforms included in the ban are Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X, with exceptions for services like WhatsApp.
- Age verification measures regulated by Ofcom will be introduced to enforce the ban starting in early 2027.
- Australian data reveals many under-16s still access social media despite restrictions, raising concerns about enforcement effectiveness.
Social media is making children unhappy. It’s making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health.— Keir Starmer, arguing that such platforms are designed to be addictive.
Phone addiction: She says to him: "You're always bothering me": He talks to her, she's on Instagram. They go hiking, she's on Vinted ...
zeit.de/zeit-magazin/leben/2026-06/handysucht-beziehung-smartphone-partnerschaft
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CNA Jun 10
OpinionCommentary: If AI is addictive, who is responsible - big tech or users?: There is a significant amount of data showing how heavy use of chatbots can lead to ...
channelnewsasia.com/commentary/ai-chatbot-addiction-responsibility-big-tech-6170911
OpinionMy most capable clients are becoming prisoners of their phones – but there is a way out
theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/08/mobile-phone-addiction-scrolling-losing-memory-concentration
Cell phone addiction: How Omar suffers from his smartphone dependency: He spent more time on his phone than in real life: Omar (17) from the Stormarn district ...
ln-online.de/kultur/regional/handysucht-wie-omar-unter-seiner-abhaengigkeit-vom-smartphone-leidet-HCZM7KVNTFHO3MQDAGFF5TEPUU.html
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€800,000 gambled away - | how "Sports Betting Sheriff" Thomas Melchior fights addiction
hna.de/welt/800-000-verzockt-wie-sportwettensheriff-thomas-melchior-gegen-die-sucht-kaempft-zr-94326452.html
‘A tsunami of harm’: views on tackling online safety for under-16s in the UK: Campaigners, teenagers, legislators and experts give their opinions on the ...
theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/26/views-on-tackling-online-safety-under-16s-social-media-consultation
AI app addiction raises alarms for mental health, IIM Lucknow study reveals: By analysing more than 157,000 user reviews, researchers found evidence of emotional ...
indianexpress.com/article/education/ai-app-addiction-raises-alarms-for-mental-health-iim-lucknow-study-reveals-10706633/
It's a creeping process that often goes undetected, but can have serious consequences: cell phone addiction. According to an expert from Aurich ... Show more
This new ‘buy-now-pay-maybe’ crypto card may refund some of your purchases — but at what cost?
marketwatch.com/story/buy-now-pay-maybe-this-new-crypto-card-brings-the-casino-to-the-checkout-line-093fbe57
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Knitting against stress: Young people discover old hobbies: Cell phone addiction, increasing mental health problems, stress: Why young people are seeking refuge ...
nzz.ch/zuerich/sie-stricken-sich-ihre-sorgen-weg-wie-eine-generation-zu-einem-oma-hobby-kam-ld.10003524
Aurich expert on cell phone addiction: The only addiction where abstinence doesn't help
oz-online.de/artikel/1655630/Die-einzige-Sucht-bei-der-Verzicht-nicht-hilft
Paid articlePaywallExperts: Games intentionally designed to trigger addictive behaviour: PETALING JAYA: The rise of gacha systems, loot boxes and in-game top-ups is blurring the ...
thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/05/17/experts-games-intentionally-designed-to-trigger-addictive-behaviour
"We are losing our children": Even babies in front of screens - | Scientist issues urgent warning
hna.de/politik/schon-babys-am-bildschirm-wissenschaftlerin-warnt-eindringlich-zr-94309296.html
journals.sagepub.com May 15
Prevalence of addictive use of cosmetic procedures and risk factors among Israeli women - Vera Skvirsky, Uri Lifshin, Dvora Shmulewitz, Mario Mikulincer, 2026
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13591053261444719
EU chief turns up heat on social media's 'addictive' design: BRUSSELS, May 12 (Reuters) - The European Union is working on new rules to protect children from ...
thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2026/05/12/eu-targets-social-media-to-protect-children-von-der-leyen-says
Review: ‘Octet’ is an astonishing first musical for Raven Theatre: Dave Malloy's "Octet" is an a capella musical that tells the stories of eight people ...
chicagotribune.com/2026/05/10/review-octet-raven-theatre/
OpinionClutch the mobile phone but don’t fall into its clutches: Explore the dangers of mobile phone addiction and the importance of maintaining mental health in a ...
thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/clutch-the-mobile-phone-but-dont-fall-into-its-clutches/article70908933.ece
Heartbreak and cell phone addiction: Young people find a listening ear at the "Jumi" youth center in Gunzenhausen
nn.de/region/gunzenhausen/herzschmerz-und-handysucht-im-jugendhaus-jumi-in-gunzenhausen-finden-jugendliche-gehor-1.15088443
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Peptides are currently something like the new wonder drug in Silicon Valley. In the self-optimization bubble, they promise everything at once: better ... Show more
psypost.org Apr 12
Reduced gray matter and altered brain connectivity are linked to problematic smartphone use
psypost.org/reduced-gray-matter-and-altered-brain-connectivity-are-linked-to-problematic-smartphone-use/
What makes ultraprocessed foods addictive?: A neuroscientist explains how highly processed foods may be key to “food addiction.” She also reveals some solutions
scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-ultraprocessed-foods-addictive/
Meaning in life and the mental health - addiction spiral: testing a unifying model
frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1777424/full
BREAKING: A jury has found that Meta and YouTube are liable for creating products that led to harmful and addictive behavior by young users ... Show more
Harvard Case Study: How can growth and ethics be reconciled?: At Maxinq Beauty, everything is going according to plan – digital revenues are rising by double ...
manager-magazin.de/hbm/harvard-fallstudie-digitale-erloese-versus-ethische-verantwortung-a-0918abb0-da99-43ec-bdc0-4f53cf155f9c
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Five lessons from a week at a troubled school: A week at a Viennese secondary school with a social worker. He deals with serious problems: from severe neglect ...
profil.at/dasfruehstueck/fuenf-lehren-aus-einer-woche-brennpunktschule/403143756
Social media usage by minors: Punjab to take up matter with Centre for rules, says Aman Arora
indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/social-media-usage-minors-punjab-centre-rules-aman-arora-10577933/
Mercedes engineer from Stuttgart invents mini device against mobile phone addiction
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.mercedes-entwickler-aus-stuttgart-erfindet-mini-geraet-gegen-handysucht.64f29c72-c203-4893-adc4-bc34e43288e6.html
Key FactsCompact Device Tackles Smartphone Addiction Effectively
Mar 9, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Konstantin Singer, a Mercedes developer from Stuttgart, created the Zenbox, a small gadget countering smartphone addiction.
- The Zenbox is produced locally in Stuttgart-Ost and uses NFC to lock apps, requiring physical contact to unlock.
- Sales are solely through an online store, priced at €49.99, operating without subscriptions or cloud services.
- Singer aims to expand Zenbox into the B2B market within three years to support employee mental well-being.
It is a deliberately designed tech product that uses technology to give us back control over technology.— Konstantin Singer, Zenbox inventor and Mercedes developer, discussing his product against smartphone addiction
Mail Online Mar 03
Like many Aussies, F1 star Oscar Piastri had a crippling mobile phone addiction. Here's the simple step he took to beat it - and you can do it too
dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-15593025/Oscar-Piastri-mobile-phone-addiction-F1-Australian-Grand-Prix-Melbourne.html
psypost.org Mar 02
Multiple childhood traumas linked to highly interconnected addictive behaviors in adulthood
psypost.org/multiple-childhood-traumas-linked-to-highly-interconnected-addictive-behaviors-in-adulthood/
Drugs and Media - | Addiction Prevention - | How Stuttgart wants to protect young people
stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.drogen-und-medien-suchtpraevention-wie-stuttgart-jugendliche-schuetzen-will.ea6d4012-ec4d-440e-b88f-0269c8c2a242.html
Key FactsInnovative Youth Addiction Prevention in Stuttgart
Mar 1, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: stuttgarter-nachrichten.de
- Stuttgart’s addiction prevention emphasizes direct engagement with youth via diverse projects from groups like Caritas and Release U21.
- Schools can select from various programs, starting media use education in sixth grade and substance awareness in seventh grade.
- Cannabis partial legalization requires adaptation of programs such as FreD to effectively support youths with risky consumption.
- Efforts concentrate on empowering adolescents during puberty to manage crises without resorting to addictive behaviors.
It becomes dangerous when consumption is compensatory — and other things are neglected as a result. When you compensate for problems you can't solve any other way and only gain relaxation or a kick in that way, or forget the pressure to perform.— Geraldine Höbel, Stuttgart's Commissioner for Addiction Prevention, in an interview about prevention strategies
Kuwait Times Feb 24
A senior executive at YouTube told a Los Angeles court the platform was built to deliver “viewer value,” not drive addiction ... Show more
Karnataka govt may follow Australia, ban social media for children below 16: Earlier this month, the Karnataka government launched the ‘Mobile Bidi ...
indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/karnataka-govt-may-follow-australia-ban-social-media-for-children-below-16-10546020/
Will there be a social media ban for children under 14?: Endless scrolling, addictive behavior - | many children and teenagers can hardly tear themselves away ...
westfalen-blatt.de/ueberregional/social-media-verbot-kinder-unter-14-jahren-3494388
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Handysucht bei Erwachsenen: „Es wartet niemand auf mich, wenn ich das Handy abdrehe“
sn.at/panorama/medien/handysucht-bei-erwachsenen-es-wartet-niemand-auf-mich-wenn-ich-das-handy-abdrehe-art-635718
Stanford psychiatrist testifies Meta's social media platforms is designed to be addictive in NM lawsuit
foxbusiness.com/technology/stanford-psychiatrist-testifies-metas-social-media-design-deliberately-addictive-new-mexico-lawsuit
How children can break free from cell phone addiction - | tips for parents and families
bnn.de/nachrichten/deutschland-und-welt/so-loesen-sich-kinder-von-der-handysucht-tipps-fuer-eltern-und-familien
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This is why dating apps are so addictive: Everything but finding love a new study reveals how dating apps exploit a collective need for social validation ...
ynetnews.com/magazine/article/mixq8q6ig
Macron defends potential video games restrictions after online backlash: Debates over whether violent video games can influence real-world behaviour have ...
euractiv.com/news/macron-defends-potential-video-games-restrictions-after-online-backlash/
OpinionEU Commission: TikTok's design likely promotes addictive behavior: There is once again news from Brussels concerning users of the social media platform ...
stadt-bremerhaven.de/eu-kommission-tiktoks-design-foerdert-wohl-suchtverhalten/
Can you really be addicted to food? Here’s what research says: Unlike nicotine or narcotics, food is something that all people need to survive ...
nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/can-you-really-be-addicted-to-food-here-s-what-research-says-5349124
Die Stiftung Sucht Schweiz verlangt in ihrem aktuellen Jahresbericht «Suchtpanorama 2026» einen deutlichen Kurswechsel zugunsten mehr Prävention ... Show more
psypost.org Feb 03
The hidden role of vulnerable dark personality traits in digital addiction: Scientists have identified a pathway from traits like vulnerable narcissism to ...
psypost.org/the-hidden-role-of-vulnerable-dark-personality-traits-in-digital-addiction/
Addiction prevention in the Esslingen district: "It has never been easier to get drugs"
ntz.de/region/artikel_suchtpraevention-im-kreis-esslingen-war-nie-leichter-an-drogen-zu-kommen.html
Paid articlePaywall Addictive behavior: Aurich residents getting younger and younger at first use: Cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis and gambling - | even children are having their ...
oz-online.de/artikel/1627002/Auricher-beim-Erstkonsum-immer-juenger
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Addiction prevention Esslingen district - | "It's never been easier to get drugs" - | Cocaine and media addiction are on the rise
esslinger-zeitung.de/inhalt.suchtpraevention-kreis-esslingen-war-nie-leichter-an-drogen-zu-kommen-kokain-und-mediensucht-nehmen-zu.9e58789b-3f6c-4be5-88a4-c9a3a738a9b8.html
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