Moorpark College Psychologist Dr. Laura Forsyth PhD led a
not-so-typical discussion on a familiar topic regarding the dangers of habitual
smartphone use. While the scare tactics used to wean young adults off of their
phones stayed to a minimum, Forsyth engaged the audience in a scientific
breakdown of why so many of us constantly check our screens.

“There is a relationship between us as human beings and this little device that we are attached to,” Forsyth said.

She explained that the structure connected with the limbic system in our brain, the basal ganglia, creates routines of habit and behavior. In layman’s terms, the reward system created when checking a notification on our phones promotes an unconscious dependency that only increases over time.

Although many rationalized that their smartphone provides means of interaction across the world, incomparable to other technology, most were shocked when Forsyth shared the statistic that on average we check our phones 50(+) times a day.

As for a realistic solution to smartphone addiction, Forsyth encouraged that students cease the trigger that forces more time spent glued to the screen than face-to-face with their surroundings.