My screen addiction was stopping me from doing my job. Here’s how I’m trying to fix it

Have you heard about second-screen syndrome yet? I must admit the term is new to me, but the concept is not. Hell, no. You see, for some time I have been sucked into said syndrome without being aware of it. And I feel stupid for being so, well, stupid.

Catch me watching TV and relaxing on any given night and you will notice I am not doing much of either, constantly distracted by flashing lights, beeps, rings and dopamine hits coming at me from all angles. It’s akin to being in a pinball machine with a hyperactive kid on the flippers.

While a movie plays, I am also playing on my phone, addicted to a game I just can’t quit, zapping coloured bubbles until my thumbs ache. Because the game means my phone screen is busy, I will often drag out my laptop to receive emails or texts (OK, scroll Insta) as well.

And lately, when my friend comes over, this “relaxing” scenario is compounded by his phone and, worst of all, his smartwatch. That bloody thing beeps every time he is supposed to be sleeping, exercising, eating, learning French or making his move on internet Scrabble. Even for me, it is one screen too many. This attention acrobatics is madness.

But it is also my life as I have known it for near on a decade, during which I have been offered more distraction, more information and more entertainment in every waking moment (and even then, I swear I play that bloody bubble game in my dreams). And I am sure many of you are feeling my pain. In fact, I know you are. You see, we double-screeners are the majority.

Global data analysts YouGov found a majority of respondents across 17 markets (16 countries, plus Hong Kong) said they look at their mobile devices while watching TV “very or fairly” often. India led the way with 60 per cent, Australia was third on 57 per cent, with the Americans and Brits close behind on 55 per cent. That’s a lot of people paying little attention to many things.

As a result, it is being reported that streaming services such as Netflix have been developing programs specifically as “second screen shows”, catering to audiences who are looking at two devices simultaneously. Executives now explain to writers that their work will likely be watched as a secondary screen, or during a toilet break or bus ride, and so repeated dialogue prompts will be required to reinforce the plot.

In other words, shows are now being made that are so simplistic there is no need to concentrate or engage. Yes, that sound you hear is likely Martin Scorsese weeping.

The irony in double screening is that we fool ourselves into thinking we are maximising every mom