Greg Twemlow's Medium article argues that social media's addictive design negatively impacts young people's cognitive development, promoting superficial engagement and hindering critical thinking. The author advocates for an Australian government-led ban on social media for under-16s, proposing "Cognitive Impact Content© (CIC)" to help users identify intellectually stimulating online material. He suggests that adults should model responsible social media use and that educational initiatives should foster digital literacy and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, the author explores leveraging AI to curate content that promotes cognitive engagement instead of addictive practices. Ultimately, the piece calls for a healthier digital future prioritizing intellectual development over instant gratification.
About the Author - Greg Twemlow writes and teaches at the intersection of technology, education, and human judgment. He works with educators and businesses to make AI explainable and assessable in classrooms and boardrooms — to ensure AI users show their process and own their decisions. His cognition protocol, the Context & Critique Rule™, is built on a three-step process: Evidence → Cognition → Discernment — a bridge from what’s scattered to what’s chosen. Context & Critique → Accountable AI™. © 2025 Greg Twemlow. “Context & Critique → Accountable AI” and “Context & Critique Rule” are unregistered trademarks (™).
