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Does our modern information environment worsen our attention spans? Or are we over-estimating the impact of technology on our lives? Distraction caused by mobile phones at least appears to be a real issue – and one that doesn’t just affect young people. And while half the public admit they can’t stop checking their phones, people still hugely underestimate just how much they do so.
On the one hand, we don’t realise how addicted we are to our technology, and worry our attention is shortening. On the other hand, these perceptions may be linked to some commonly believed myths about attention spans – and many of us still see significant positive impacts from technology and don’t put all the blame on big tech.
Read more in our report co-produced with the Centre for Attention Studies at King's College London.