Finnish developer Minna Captain critiques smartphone dependency among adults

The scene on public transport is a familiar one: passengers glued to their smartphones, immersed in media and social media distractions. However, one software developer, Minna Captain, stands out. “I’m a mobile app developer, yet I find it difficult to tolerate mobile devices,” she reflects on her complicated relationship with smartphones.

Captain works with her colleagues to create useful applications for maintenance workers, but she has a strong aversion to her own phone. “Like many others, I’ve noticed how phones disrupt focus. People are always holding their phones, draining brainpower on media and entertainment. I can’t fathom how they keep it up,” she adds.

Recently, Yle conducted an online poll asking Finns about their screen time, focusing on the feelings it evokes among adults rather than children. Captain is among those who responded, sharing frustrations about the urgency created by communication tools like Teams and Slack. “Work life is ruined by the sense of false urgency these messaging apps create,” she said.

Despite using her phone for daily tasks like online shopping and messaging, she doesn’t limit her screen time. “I have no need to limit it; it naturally remains low outside of work because I hate phones,” she explained.

While some participants struggle with excessive screen time, Captain has taken a stand by avoiding unnecessary notifications and limiting when she checks her phone. Interestingly, despite a high percentage of Finnish adults using messaging apps, Captain is not alone in her avoidance of devices in public settings.

Other respondents express contentment with their digital habits, including Jommi Järvinen, who has been engaged with technology since the 1980s. He doesn’t feel the need to restrict screen time, enjoying a balanced life that integrates digital moments with family activities.