Child Addiction & the Attention Economy
Why our kids are fighting a battle for focus — and how we can help them win.
The Hidden Design of Distraction
Every notification, autoplay video, and algorithmic feed is designed to do one thing — keep you there. For children, whose brains are still wiring themselves for impulse control, this is no small threat. Dopamine loops and short-term gratification have turned the smartphone into both a playground and a trap.
Understanding the Addiction Cycle
Our AI research team studied how children react during "digital cravings." The results mirror addiction psychology: anticipation, pleasure, guilt, and repetition. What makes it worse? The algorithms learn faster than we do — adapting to every pause, click, and scroll.
The SlateMate Solution
eRaksha uses behavioral modeling to detect early signs of digital addiction — sudden spikes in screen time, emotional volatility, and sleep disruptions. Instead of blocking abruptly, it gently redirects attention using emotional coaching: "Let's pause for a quick stretch," or "Would you like a 2-minute breathing game?"
Balancing Tech and Trust
For parents, this means smarter control with emotional awareness. For children, it means learning self-regulation — the foundation of lifelong digital discipline.
The Hope Ahead
The goal isn't to create fear around screens — it's to create freedom within them. Addiction ends not with restriction, but with awareness. And that's the awareness SlateMate is building.