Rewiring The Next Generation - HIMSS26 Europe Insights with Marc Ritter

Addicted by Design: How Big Tech is Wiring Young Brains and What We Can Do About It.In the fourth episode of Narratives of Purpose's special series from the 2026 HIMSS European Health Conference, host Claire Murigande speaks with Marc Ritter, the CEO and co-founder of AWE Digital Wellness.AWE Digital Wellness is the first online mental health platform specifically aimed at addressing internet and phone addiction in youth, teenagers, and young adults.In this conversation, Marc unpacks the science behind smartphone addiction, digital burnout, and the mental health crisis quietly unfolding in the next generation. He shares how his own struggle with internet overuse led him to study neurobiological addiction patterns — and ultimately build a safer tech ecosystem for kids.Claire and Marc also explore the dangers of unregulated AI (including the landmark Rain v. OpenAI case), and why simply banning social media for teens isn't enough.Be sure to visit our podcast website for the full episode transcript.LINKS:Connect with Marc Ritter on LINKEDINLearn more about AWE Digital Wellness at awewellness.orgFollow our host Dr. Claire Murigande: WEBSITE | LINKEDINFollow us: LinkedInConnect with us: [email protected] | subscribe to our newsTell us what you think: write a reviewCHAPTERS:00:19 - Introduction to HIMSS Europe 2026 special series01:50 - Marc Ritter's Journey and Research in Mental Health and Technology Addiction05:23 - The AWE Wellness Platform: AI-enhanced Therapy Targeting Youth Addiction07:03 - AWE's Product Innovation: the Smarter Phone for Healthy Tech Use10:10 - Digital Burnout: Fragmented Attention Through Information Overload14:23 - AI Safety Gaps, Corporate Responsibility, and the Need for Regulation18:58 - Marc's Outlook on AI’s Impact on Healthcare and Youth Well-beingMentioned in this episode:Narratives of Purpose is a proud member of the SwissCast NetworkDiscover more great podcasts for English-speaking SwitzerlandSwissCast Network