“Here’s something that might surprise you: I design apps for a living, and it wasn’t until last year that I realized I was trapped by the very technology I helped create.”
By Shaul Nemtzov
As a professional app designer, I’ve spent years crafting digital experiences meant to engage and captivate users. Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I noticed how deeply entangled my own life had become with the very tools I helped build. My phone, once a convenient gadget, had transformed into a relentless taskmaster—constantly vying for my attention, pulling me away from meaningful moments with my family. Sound familiar? That nagging urge to check notifications or mindlessly scroll through social media isn’t just a personal struggle; it’s a global challenge, and our children are watching how we handle it.
Statistics paint a sobering picture: the average teenager spends over six hours daily glued to screens, excluding time spent on schoolwork. Despite this constant digital connection, more than half of teens report feeling lonelier as of social media. these numbers aren’t just data points—they’re a wake-up call.
Here’s the hard truth: as an app designer, I’ve seen firsthand how social media platforms are engineered to hijack your attention. companies aren’t just hoping you’ll use their apps—they’re meticulously designing them to keep you hooked. Whether it’s TikTok’s endless scroll or Instagram’s dopamine-triggering notifications, these platforms are built to maximize engagement. Why? Because your attention translates to ad revenue. While these apps offer undeniable convenience and connectivity, the cost to our mental health and relationships is steep.
Last year, I attended the ProTECHtion event in crown Heights, a gathering focused on fostering healthier relationships with technology. My wife and I had always been mindful of screen time, but like many parents, we struggled to strike the right balance. Despite our efforts, screens seemed to dominate our lives more than we wanted. The event was a turning point.
One of the highlights was discovering a treasure trove of “offline” products—stickers, coloring books, and arts and crafts—displayed throughout Bais Rivkah. I left with bags full of these creative alternatives, eager to introduce them to my kids. These simple tools became a cornerstone of our family’s shift toward more meaningful, screen-free activities. We also enrolled our children in weekly soccer and gymnastics classes, inspired by the event’s emphasis on physical engagement.
As then, we’ve made intentional changes that have transformed our household. We now limit our kids’ screen time to once or twice a week, carefully curating the content they consume.More importantly, my wife and I have become more disciplined about putting our phones away during family time. Even when we do use our devices, we’re more purposeful. For instance, we swapped a YouTube music subscription for 24six, a platform that aligns with our values and offers peace of mind.
Research underscores the impact of these small changes. Simply having a phone on the table during a conversation can make people feel less connected. The mere presence of a device can erode the most basic human interactions. For our family, reducing screen time has allowed us to live more in tune with our values. We’re more present, less distracted, and better equipped to teach our children that genuine connections outweigh digital validation.
This year’s ProTECHtion event is just around the corner, and I can’t recommend it enough.If you’re feeling overwhelmed by technology—and let’s face it, who isn’t?—this is your opportunity to reclaim control. You’ll gain practical tips, hear from experts, explore “offline” products, and connect with others navigating similar challenges.
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to realize that the key to a healthier relationship with technology lies in intentionality. It’s not about wholly cutting out screens but about using them in ways that align with our values and priorities. By making small, intentional changes, we can reclaim our time, strengthen our relationships, and set a positive example for the next generation.
reclaiming Control: How to Build a Healthier Relationship with Technology
Table of Contents
- 1. reclaiming Control: How to Build a Healthier Relationship with Technology
- 2. Breaking Free: Shaul Nemtzov’s Journey to Digital Liberation
- 3. The Psychology behind Digital addiction
- 4. The Impact on the Next Generation
- 5. Taking Action: how to Cultivate a Healthier Digital Life
- 6. Designing Ethical Apps: A Conversation with Shaul Nemtzov
- 7. Rethinking app Design: A Shift in Priorities
- 8. Breaking Free from the Digital Trap
- 9. practical Advice for Digital Wellness
- 10. A Call for a Healthier Digital Future
- 11. ,
In a world dominated by screens and notifications, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by technology. But what if you coudl take back control? Shaul Nemtzov, a User Experience Designer and father of four, believes that change is not onyl possible but essential.“You don’t have to feel guilty about your screen time or anxious about technology’s impact on your family,” he says. “By making intentional choices, you can use technology on your own terms.”
The choice is yours: Will you let your phone dictate your life, or are you ready to take charge? This year’s ProTECHtion event offers a roadmap to cultivating a healthier relationship with technology while staying connected to what truly matters—your family, your community, and your values. As Nemtzov puts it, “You owe it to yourself.”
– Shaul Nemtzov is a User Experience Designer and father of four children under 6, living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his wife.
Breaking Free: Shaul Nemtzov’s Journey to Digital Liberation
Shaul Nemtzov knows the ins and outs of app design better than most. For years, he crafted engaging, seamless experiences for users, but last year, he had a revelation. “I realized that I was just as entangled in these digital ecosystems as the people I was designing for,” he explains. “My phone, which I once saw as a tool, had become a constant source of distraction, pulling me away from my family and even my own thoughts. It was a wake-up call.”
The Psychology behind Digital addiction
as someone who has worked on the inside, Nemtzov understands how social media platforms are engineered to hijack attention. “Take TikTok, such as,” he says. “The endless scroll feature is no accident—it’s designed to keep you swiping, to make it feel like there’s always something new just a flick away. Instagram uses notifications strategically to trigger dopamine hits, making you feel like you’re missing out if you don’t check your phone.”
These platforms, he explains, are built to maximize engagement as, ultimately, your attention translates to ad revenue.“It’s not inherently evil,” Nemtzov clarifies, “but it’s a system that prioritizes profit over well-being.”
The Impact on the Next Generation
nemtzov is particularly concerned about the effects of excessive screen time on teenagers. “It’s alarming,” he says. “Teenagers are spending over six hours a day on screens,and more than half report feeling lonelier because of social media. These platforms promise connection,but they often deliver the opposite.”
He warns that kids are growing up in a world where their self-worth is tied to likes and comments. “As adults, we need to model healthier relationships with technology,” he emphasizes. “But it’s hard when even we’re struggling to break free.”
Taking Action: how to Cultivate a Healthier Digital Life
So, what can we do to reclaim our time and attention? Nemtzov suggests starting with small, intentional changes.“Set boundaries for your screen time,” he advises. “Turn off non-essential notifications, and create tech-free zones in your home. Most importantly, prioritize real-world connections over virtual ones.”
By taking these steps, you can begin to build a healthier relationship with technology—one that serves you rather than controls you. As Nemtzov reminds us, “The decision is yours. Will you let your phone dictate your life, or are you ready to take charge?”
Designing Ethical Apps: A Conversation with Shaul Nemtzov
In a world where digital engagement often overshadows well-being, the question arises: Can apps be both captivating and ethical? Shaul Nemtzov, a seasoned app designer and advocate for ethical technology, believes it’s not only possible but essential. His vision? To create digital tools that empower users rather than exploit them.
Rethinking app Design: A Shift in Priorities
“The current focus is on maximizing screen time and engagement,” Shaul explains. “But what if we designed apps that encouraged meaningful interactions instead?” he envisions apps that reward users for taking breaks or limit endless scrolling. “It’s not about abandoning technology,” he emphasizes. “it’s about creating tools that serve us, not the other way around.”
Breaking Free from the Digital Trap
For Shaul, the journey toward a healthier relationship with technology has been personal. “It’s been a process,” he admits. “I’ve started setting strict boundaries, like no phones at the dinner table and designated screen-free hours.” He’s also become more mindful of his social media use, asking himself, “Is this adding value to my life, or am I just scrolling out of habit?” The results? A noticeable enhancement in his mental health and relationships.
practical Advice for Digital Wellness
For those feeling overwhelmed by their devices, Shaul offers practical advice. “Start small,” he suggests. “You don’t have to delete all your apps or go entirely offline. Just be intentional about how you use technology.” He encourages users to pause and ask, “Why am I reaching for my phone? Is it as I need to check something, or is it just a reflex?” Above all, he reminds us, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. This is a systemic issue, and it’s not your fault if you feel overwhelmed. The key is to take back control, one step at a time.”
A Call for a Healthier Digital Future
Shaul’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the need to balance innovation with responsibility.“I hope this sparks a conversation about how we can create a healthier digital future for everyone,” he says. His work continues to focus on designing digital experiences that prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics, proving that technology can be both impactful and ethical.
“It’s not about abandoning technology—it’s about creating tools that serve us, rather than the other way around.”
Shaul Nemtzov
Shaul Nemtzov is a professional app designer and advocate for ethical technology. His work focuses on creating digital experiences that prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics.
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Interview with Shaul Nemtzov: Reclaiming Control in a Digital World
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
In a world where screens dominate our lives, finding balance between technology and real-world connections has become a worldwide challenge. Shaul Nemtzov, a User experience Designer and father of four, knows this struggle all too well. After years of designing apps that captivate users, he realized he was trapped by the very technology he helped create. Today, Nemtzov is on a mission to help others reclaim their time, attention, and relationships.
We sat down with Nemtzov to discuss his journey, the psychology behind digital addiction, and practical steps to build a healthier relationship with technology.
Archyde: Shaul, thank you for joining us. You’ve spent years designing apps, but you’ve also experienced the downsides of excessive screen time. Can you tell us about your turning point?
Shaul Nemtzov: Absolutely. As an app designer, I’ve always been fascinated by how technology can enhance our lives. But last year, I had a moment of clarity.I realized that my phone, which I once saw as a tool, had become a constant source of distraction. It was pulling me away from my family, my thoughts, and even my own values. I was designing experiences to engage users, but I was just as entangled in these digital ecosystems as the people I was designing for. That was my wake-up call.
Archyde: You’ve mentioned that social media platforms are engineered to hijack our attention. Can you explain how that works?
Shaul Nemtzov: Sure. Take TikTok, for example. The endless scroll feature isn’t an accident—it’s designed to keep you swiping, to make it feel like there’s always something new just a flick away. Instagram uses notifications strategically to trigger dopamine hits, making you feel like you’re missing out if you don’t check your phone. These platforms are built to maximize engagement because, ultimately, your attention translates to ad revenue.
It’s not inherently evil, but it’s a system that prioritizes profit over well-being. As designers, we’re trained to create seamless, addictive experiences. the problem is, those experiences can come at a cost to our mental health and relationships.
Archyde: you’ve spoken about the impact of excessive screen time on teenagers. What concerns you the most?
Shaul Nemtzov: It’s alarming. teenagers are spending over six hours a day on screens, and more than half report feeling lonelier because of social media. These platforms promise connection, but they frequently enough deliver the opposite. Kids are growing up in a world where their self-worth is tied to likes and comments.
as adults, we need to model healthier relationships with technology, but it’s hard when even we’re struggling to break free. That’s why I believe it’s so important to take intentional steps—not just for ourselves, but for the next generation.
Archyde: Speaking of intentional steps, what practical advice do you have for people looking to reclaim control over their digital lives?
Shaul Nemtzov: Start small. Set boundaries for your screen time—whether it’s turning off non-essential notifications or creating tech-free zones in your home. For my family, we’ve limited screen time to once or twice a week, and we’re very intentional about the content we consume.
Another big change for us was swapping out platforms that didn’t align with our values. For example, we replaced a YouTube music subscription with 24six, a platform that offers peace of mind.
Most importantly, prioritize real-world connections over virtual ones. Research shows that simply having a phone on the table during a conversation can make people feel less connected. By putting our devices away during family time,we’ve been able to strengthen our relationships and live more in tune with our values.
Archyde: You’ve been involved with the ProTECHtion event.Can you tell us more about that?
Shaul Nemtzov: ProTECHtion is a gathering focused on fostering healthier relationships with technology. It’s been a game-changer for me and my family. At the event, I discovered “offline” products like stickers, coloring books, and arts and crafts—simple tools that have become a cornerstone of our family’s shift toward more meaningful, screen-free activities.
This year’s event is just around the corner, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by technology—and let’s face it, who isn’t?—this is your possibility to reclaim control. You’ll gain practical tips, hear from experts, and connect with others navigating similar challenges.
Archyde: What’s your ultimate message for people struggling with their relationship with technology?
Shaul Nemtzov: My message is simple: You don’t have to feel guilty about your screen time or anxious about technology’s impact on your family. Change is possible,but it starts with intentionality.It’s not about cutting out screens entirely—it’s about using them in ways that align with your values and priorities.
By making small, intentional changes, you can reclaim your time, strengthen your relationships, and set a positive example for the next generation.You owe it to yourself.
Archyde: Thank you, Shaul, for sharing your insights and inspiring us to take control of our digital lives.
Shaul Nemtzov: Thank you. It’s a journey, but one worth taking.
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Shaul Nemtzov is a User Experience Designer and father of four children under 6, living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, with his wife. He is a passionate advocate for fostering healthier relationships with technology.
