Tech's Addiction Machine: New Film Reveals All

A new documentary, Your Attention Please, available for rent or purchase on October 6, delves into how modern technology systems are intentionally designed to shape human behavior. Originally intended as a personal story about overcoming phone habits, the film's scope expanded to investigate the broader impact of technology, from social media's rise to the influence of AI.

The documentary highlights how social platforms have fundamentally altered what society values. Experiences once considered private or emotional are now often reduced to numerical equivalents like followers and likes, influencing self-worth and social validation. This shift can amplify attention-seeking behavior and conflict, making genuine connection harder to quantify.

Furthermore, the film addresses the escalating risks associated with artificial intelligence. Experts warn that AI can automate and amplify existing harms like cyberbullying, generate convincing impersonations, or create deepfakes. The technology may also blur the lines between human and machine interaction, potentially increasing loneliness and encouraging harmful behaviors.

Coinciding with the film's release, over 25 digital well-being organizations are launching the "Stand for Their Attention" initiative on March 11, 2026, to draw attention to the growing movement for healthier digital environments. This campaign arrives amid increasing global scrutiny of the attention economy, with lawmakers debating youth mental health impacts and researchers studying algorithmic influences.

Director Sara Robin emphasizes that while the challenges are significant, human systems can be rebuilt. The documentary aims to empower audiences, suggesting involvement ranges from changing personal habits to advocating for legislative change and influencing technology design.