Have you ever picked up your phone for “just a second” and suddenly lost 30 minutes? It’s not an accident. Your time and attention are being bought and sold. Your phone, apps, and the entire digital world are designed to keep you hooked because your attention isn’t just valuable, it’s for sale.

We live in an attention economy, where companies profit every second you spend glued to a screen. The average user spends nearly 7 hours a day consuming media. That’s nearly 59 hours a week, almost as much as a full-time job spent just scrolling, watching, and clicking.

And now, AI is making it even harder to break free.

AI-powered algorithms don’t just show you content, they study you. Every like, share, pause, or scroll is data. AI learns your habits, emotions, and triggers, feeding you exactly what will keep you engaged the longest. That’s why you open your phone for “just a second” and suddenly half an hour is gone.

The more time you give, the smarter AI gets at keeping you on the hook. And it’s not just social media. AI fine-tunes news headlines, shopping recommendations, and even notifications to detain your focus. It knows what will spark curiosity, trigger emotions, and create FOMO (fear of missing out), all to keep you engaged just a little longer.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Awareness is the first step: Recognize that your attention is a commodity.

Set boundaries: Limit screen time, disable unnecessary notifications, and take intentional breaks.

Be mindful of what you follow: Engage with content that adds value, not just engagement-driven distractions.

Use AI to your advantage: Leverage tools that promote focus and well-being instead of mindless scrolling.

Your attention is your most valuable resource. Don’t give it away for free.