Adam Alter: Why our screens make us less happy | TED Talk
What are our screens and devices doing to us? Psychologist Adam Alter studies how much time screens steal from us and how they're getting away with it. He shares why all those hours you spend staring at your smartphone, tablet or computer might be making you miserable -- and what you can do about it.
Overview
Added
March 8, 2026
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Audience
parent
Grade range
Grade 9 (Freshman)–Grade 12 (Senior)
Page kind
Video
Keywords
TED talks technology computers software psychology social media addiction UX design
Introduction
Adam Alter: The Impact of Screen Time
- Speaker: Adam Alter, Psychologist.
- Event: TED2017, April 2017.
- Core Subject: The psychological impact of digital devices (smartphones, tablets, and computers) on human happiness.
- Key Argument: Excessive screen time is "stealing" time from our lives and contributing to feelings of misery.
- Objective: To explain the mechanisms behind digital addiction and provide actionable strategies to reclaim time and improve well-being.
- Engagement: The talk has reached over 4.7 million views.
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