Nir And Far: Business, Behaviour and the Brain This is How the Media is Misleading You on “Technology Addiction”-Nir&Far
Dec 14, 2020
Siri Heller, clinical psychologist and digital well-being researcher, challenges sensational headlines about technology and screen time. She explains why journalists overstate science and lists four common reporting errors. She also highlights small effect sizes, media negativity bias, and when tech use crosses into real harm.
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Correlation Is Not Causation
- Most studies linking screen time and teen mental health are correlational and cannot prove causation.
- Siri Heller warns readers to watch for terms like "linked to" or "associated with" as possible causal overreach.
Check Effect Size Before Panicking
- Reported associations between social media and teen depression typically explain only about 0.4% of depressive symptoms.
- Siri Heller emphasizes checking effect sizes before acting on sensational headlines.
Bad News Dominates Tech Coverage
- Media disproportionately reports negative tech stories because negativity bias and clicks drive coverage.
- Siri Heller notes positive effects like improved mood and strengthened relationships get far less attention.
