Three Principles, 2 Sub-principles and One Magic Wand for Harm Minimization and Prevention of Technological Addiction in Human Children

Abstract

Departing from the definition of techno-addiction in terms of technology-assisted behaviour with probable detrimental consequences, we propose following guidelines could direct the design of harm-reducing technologies: gradual use-constraining, circadianity, offline preferentiality, environmental referentiality and monotasking. These guidelines can serve as criteria according to which digital technologies can be evaluated. Also, these principles can direct design of post-smartphone digital technologies which will, hopefully, reduce the cognitive and physiological harm caused by unreflected deployment of current technologies. As a concrete example of such harm-reducing technologies, we provide first insights into the structure and function of a “magic wand”, a make-your-own-device digital artefact satisfying the above-mentioned guidelines.