E31: How Smartphones Hijack Your Brain—Explained by a Psychologist

Psychologist Dr. Larry Rosen joins us to discuss the psychological toll of smartphones, social media, and digital distraction—and what we can do about it.

Guest Bio: Dr. Larry Rosen is a retired psychology professor and former department chair at California State University, an expert on the psychology of technology, and author of The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World and six other books examining how tech reshapes behavior, cognition, parenting, and mental health.

Topics Discussed:

• The rise of digital anxiety and “phantom pocket” syndrome
• How smartphones rewire attention, memory, and social behavior
• Task switching vs. true multitasking and its effects on cognition
• Tech addiction in children and parenting digital boundaries
• The historical analogies to smoking, seatbelts, and drug campaigns
• Why technology is both brilliant and dangerous—and what needs to change

Top 3 Quotes:

• “People who think they’re good at multitasking are usually the worst at it.”
• “Smartphones are magnificent tools—but we haven’t learned how to handle them yet.”
• “Half of your distractions come from inside your own head—that’s your brain addicted to checking.”

🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright
💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/
📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.
⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.

Thanks for listening!