私醫聯招 英文歷屆試題｜第 696 題

In 2010, Steve Jobs made two notable statements about the iPad that revealed contrasting perspectives. Initially, he praised the device as providing “an incredible experience,” emphasizing it as the optimal tool for browsing the web — superior to laptops and smartphones. However, in a subsequent interview with a New York Times reporter, Jobs disclosed that his children had never used the iPad. He explained that his family deliberately limited their children’s use of technology at home due to concerns about potential overdependence.

Jobs’ apprehension stemmed from the addictive design of modern devices, which tech companies have intentionally optimized by removing natural stopping cues — those signals that historically encouraged users to pause or end an activity, such as finishing a magazine article or waiting for the next TV episode. By eliminating these cues through features like Netflix’s auto-play, endless social media feeds, and YouTube’s continuous video playback, companies create a seamless experience that makes disengagement difficult.

While adults may struggle with self-regulation in this environment, children face greater challenges. Young children lack the intrinsic motivation to regulate their screen time and have underdeveloped executive functions, making self-control limited. Consequently, they tend to remain engaged with screens until externally interrupted.

Addressing screen overuse requires nuanced strategies. Jobs’ strict avoidance method effectively limits exposure but may socially isolate children. Alternatively, families can impose structured screen time limits, implement app usage controls, or establish screen-free periods, such as during meals or before bedtime. These approaches rely on the psychological concept of propinquity, which posits that proximity to objects significantly influences behavior; reducing accessibility diminishes usage without requiring constant self-discipline.

Importantly, not all screen time is equivalent. Educational reading on a device differs substantially from passive social media consumption, which can contribute to feelings of loneliness or dissatisfaction. Therefore, evaluating screen time quality alongside quantity is essential in fostering healthy digital habits.

Jobs’ primary concern was not technology itself, but its potential to undermine critical skills such as willpower and interpersonal communication — challenges that remain relevant as digital devices continue to permeate children’s lives worldwide.