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Why the Attention Economy Is Finally Facing a Backlash

A growing movement is pushing back against apps engineered to capture every waking minute.

Editorial Board·July 5, 2026·1 min read
Why the Attention Economy Is Finally Facing a Backlash

For years the digital economy ran on attention, optimizing every feed to keep us scrolling. That bargain is now under scrutiny.

Users are embracing minimalist phones, screen-time limits and slower media, while lawmakers weigh design regulations.

The shift reflects a deeper hunger for agency over our own focus.

Whether platforms adapt or resist will shape the next decade of the internet.

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