We Waited Too Long To Question Smartphones. Don’t Repeat It With AI

One of the most interesting conversations I have had recently was around something most of us carry every single day without really questioning it anymore.Our phones.Richard Lalchan joined me on Better With Humans and we explored what smartphones, social media, and now AI are actually doing to us, particularly our children. Not from a fear perspective. From a human perspective.One thing Richard said really stuck with me. Kids do not yet have the neurological hardware to make long-term decisions about technology designed by multi-billion dollar companies whose business model depends on attention.That lands differently when you stop and think about it.As parents, leaders, educators, and people working in technology, we cannot just ask: “What can this technology do?”We also need to ask: “What is this technology doing to us?”I resonated deeply with the conversation around endless scrolling.Books have an ending.Conversations have pauses.Meals finish.But many apps are intentionally designed without an endpoint. That changes behaviour over time.The other part that really hit me was this idea that boredom is not the enemy.Some of our best thinking, creativity, reflection, and emotional processing happens in quiet moments. Moments that are increasingly being filled by notifications, scrolling, and constant stimulation.And this is not about blaming parents. Life is hard. Parenting is hard. Leadership is hard. Sometimes people just need five minutes of peace.What matters is that we are willing to step back and honestly examine the systems shaping our lives and our children’s lives.Not just accepting technology because it exists. Not assuming progress automatically equals good. Not waiting twenty years before asking difficult questions.Technology should equip, empower, and encourage people.Not quietly replace human connection, critical thinking, and presence.Grateful to Richard for such an honest and thoughtful conversation.Come on people. Let’s do this.This was made with humans.Your host - Shaun PhillipsEditor: Glen Boswell https://astralforgefilm.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thebozzymanOriginal music composed and produced by Brokli - https://youtube.com/@iambrokliOriginal logo illustration and in video podcast graphics by Jesse Rist - https://instagram.com/jesse_ristFollow us for episode clips https://www.instagram.com/betterwithhumansAll episodes and news at https://www.betterwithhumans.comWant to watch episodes instead, check out https://www.youtube.com/@betterwithhumans?sub_confirmation=1Connect with Shaun on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunph/