To the Esteemed Leaders and Innovators: Prime Ministers, Presidents, and Regulatory Authorities of the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the United States, the European Union, and to the Visionary CEOs of Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), and Apple
In an age where digital frontiers expand with relentless speed, bringing the world closer yet paradoxically isolating individuals, we stand at a critical juncture.
The marvels of connectivity, knowledge sharing, and global community building are shadowed by the burgeoning crisis of digital addiction.
This phenomenon, subtle yet pervasive, threatens the mental health and wellbeing of millions.
Our collective future hinges not just on technological advancements but on our ability to wield these tools with wisdom and compassion.
This petition, drawing from the analytical depth of white papers and enriched with real-world examples, appeals to your sense of duty towards humanity.
It calls for the establishment of a global framework for digital self-exclusion, a concept proven in areas such as gambling and substance use, now urgently required in the digital realm.
The time for action is now, to implement safeguards that empower individuals, protect the vulnerable, and foster a healthier relationship with our digital extensions.
I. The Digital Dilemma: A Double-Edged Sword
The digital age has bestowed unparalleled benefits, yet its darker facets reveal a pressing challenge: an epidemic of digital addiction.
This modern malaise, manifesting as an uncontrollable urge to engage with digital devices and platforms, mirrors the addiction patterns seen in gambling and substance abuse, with profound implications for mental health.
Solutions like Screen Time can be easily bypassed by the device owner, especially for adults who live alone, without support.
Picture: a real conversation with Apple Support
II. Learning from Success: Global Precedents in Self-Exclusion
- Gambling Self-Exclusion: In the UK, Australia, and Singapore, gambling self-exclusion programs offer compelling evidence of the efficacy of voluntary exclusion measures. Individuals can request to be barred from gambling establishments or online platforms, a move that has shown to significantly reduce the harm associated with gambling addiction.
- Indigenous Alcohol Restrictions in Queensland, Australia: This initiative demonstrates the power of community-specific regulations in managing substance abuse. By tailoring restrictions to the needs and cultures of Indigenous communities, Queensland has made significant strides in mitigating the social and health impacts of alcohol.
III. The Call for Digital Self-Exclusion: A Detailed Proposal
Inspired by these successes, we propose a comprehensive global initiative for digital self-exclusion.
This framework would allow individuals to temporarily restrict access to specific digital content, apps, or platforms, empowering users to protect their mental health against the risks of digital overconsumption.
IV. A Unified Call to Action
We, the undersigned, call upon the world’s leaders, both in governance and technology, to champion the cause of digital self-exclusion.
By fostering collaboration between governments, tech companies, and civil society, we can develop effective, user-centric tools that respect individual freedom while protecting mental health.
This petition is not merely a request but a rallying cry for a more compassionate digital future.
Together, we have the power and the responsibility to shape a world where technology serves humanity’s highest aspirations, not its weaknesses.
Join us in this noble endeavour, for the sake of all who struggle in silence, for our children who will inherit this digital landscape, and for the future of a society that values mental health as much as technological progress.
In an era where digital technology shapes our daily lives, we, the proponents of Future Custodianship, bring forth an urgent petition calling for a profound shift in how we interact with our digital environments.
Our collective wellbeing is at stake, jeopardised by the very tools designed to enhance our lives.
The time has come for decisive action, for an initiative that empowers individuals to manage their digital consumption proactively, thereby safeguarding their mental health and nurturing their connections with the world around them.
The Challenge at Hand:
The digital age has ushered in unparalleled access to information and connectivity.
However, it has also exposed us to incessant stimuli, with apps ingeniously designed to captivate our attention, often exploiting our moments of vulnerability.
Applications like Tinder, with prompts that play on our fears of loneliness, are but one example of how digital platforms can inadvertently foster dependency and exacerbate mental health issues.
Even worse, popular dating apps are gateways to much more than dating – easy access to drugs and illicit substances, further impacting addiction and isolation.
The Solution: Digital Self-Exclusion:
We advocate for a groundbreaking approach: the implementation of digital self-exclusion mechanisms.
This proposal envisions a system where individuals can voluntarily restrict their access to certain digital content or services across devices and profiles, for periods ranging from 7 to 30 days.
Such a system would not only acknowledge the challenges of digital addiction but also empower individuals to take proactive steps towards healthier digital consumption patterns.
Specific Measures Proposed:
Mandatory Self-Exclusion Options: We call upon tech giants – led by the CEOs of Microsoft, Satya Nadella; Alphabet, Sundar Pichai; and Apple, Tim Cook – to pioneer the integration of self-exclusion capabilities into their platforms, setting a global standard for digital wellbeing.
Global Regulatory Support: We urge the leaders of the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the USA, and EU regulators to endorse and enforce these measures, recognising the critical role of digital health in the overall wellbeing of their citizens.
Awareness and Accessibility: Ensure that digital self-exclusion options are widely publicised and easily accessible, encouraging individuals to utilise these tools to manage vulnerabilities such as loneliness and the temptation of impulse behaviours.
The Impact:
By enabling self-exclusion, we provide individuals with a powerful tool to counteract the lure of instant digital gratification.
Imagine a world where, instead of reaching for a smartphone to download a gambling app or to swipe through social media during moments of loneliness, individuals are encouraged to engage with their community, to explore nature, or to partake in physical activities.
This shift not only breaks the cycle of digital dependency but also fosters a reconnection with the enriching experiences that life beyond the screen has to offer.
PEOPLE ARE CRYING FOR HELP
A Call to Action:
This petition is more than a call for technological innovation; it is a call for a cultural transformation that places human wellbeing at the forefront of the digital age.
By supporting digital self-exclusion, we can cultivate a society that values mindful engagement over mindless consumption, that cherishes genuine connections over fleeting distractions.
We implore you, our leaders and innovators, to champion this cause, to be the custodians of a future where technology serves to enhance, not detract from, our quality of life.
Together, we can forge a path toward a digitally balanced world, a world where every individual is empowered to build a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Join Us:
To all who envision a healthier relationship with technology, your signature on this petition is a step toward making that vision a reality.
Let us unite in this endeavour, advocating for a future where digital self-exclusion becomes a cornerstone of digital citizenship.
Together, we can redefine the landscape of digital interaction, ensuring that our technology reflects our deepest values and highest aspirations for wellbeing and community.
In Unity for a Healthier Tomorrow,
Future Custodians
