In a digital era dominated by buzzing notifications, endless scrolling, and dopamine hits from social media, it’s rare to hear a tech insider speak out against the very tools they helped create. But Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, has done just that.
In a recent appearance on the Moonshots podcast, Schmidt delivered a hard truth: “You can’t think deeply with this thing buzzing.” The “thing” he refers to is none other than your smartphone.
What makes his observation stand out? Schmidt isn’t a tech skeptic or an outsider. He was at the helm of Google during its golden years, overseeing the launch of Android—the very operating system that supercharged the smartphone revolution. And yet, he’s now sounding the alarm on the very ecosystem he helped build.
Let’s dive deeper into what Schmidt really said, why it matters, and how you can reclaim your focus in a hyperconnected world.
🚨 The Silent Killer of Deep Work: Your Smartphone
Eric Schmidt made his comments while reflecting on how young researchers, especially those in their 20s, struggle with the ever-present digital noise. “I work with a lot of 20-somethings in research… They turn off their phone,” he shared.
Why? Because true deep thinking and creativity require uninterrupted time—something that’s become increasingly rare in today’s always-on culture.
Smartphones have become attention vacuums, constantly pulling us away from focused tasks through notifications, pings, emails, messages, and the irresistible lure of social media apps. The result? Shallow work, fractured attention spans, and reduced productivity.
📉 The Irony: From Android to Attention Crisis
It’s more than a little ironic. Schmidt was a key player in launching Android, which helped democratize mobile internet access across the globe. But it also paved the way for an attention economy, where every app competes to keep you hooked for longer.
During the podcast, Schmidt explained that “they’ve tried to monetize all of your waking hours” through ads, content, and entertainment—a model that runs counter to how human brains are wired.
While technology has certainly brought convenience and connectivity, it has also blurred the lines between work and rest, thought and distraction.
💡 The Science Backs Him Up
Schmidt’s warning isn’t just anecdotal—it’s backed by research.
- A DemandSage study revealed that 67% of U.S. teenagers lose sleep due to late-night smartphone or internet use.
- Another study by the University of Texas found that the mere presence of a smartphone—even when turned off—can reduce cognitive capacity.
- The American Psychological Association notes that constant notifications create a “switch cost,” where each distraction pulls your brain away and takes time to recover.
In short: smartphones hijack our brain’s ability to focus.
🔧 Eric Schmidt’s Solution: Turn It Off
Schmidt’s advice is refreshingly simple: “Switch off your phone if you want to do serious thinking.”
And it makes sense. For thousands of years, humans didn’t have constant digital stimulation. True rest and focus came from disconnecting—whether that meant walking in nature, reading quietly, or simply letting the mind wander.
Today, reclaiming that level of clarity might mean radically stepping away from screens, at least for dedicated blocks of time.
🧘♂️ What Is a Digital Detox?
A digital detox is the practice of intentionally reducing or eliminating screen time to improve mental well-being and focus.
It doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your devices entirely. Instead, it means creating healthy boundaries so your brain can rest, reset, and work better.
Here’s what a successful digital detox might look like:
- ✂️ Turn off notifications for non-essential apps
- 📵 Put your phone on airplane mode during deep work
- ⏰ Set time blocks for checking messages or emails
- 🧘♀️ Replace phone time with hobbies, reading, or walks
- 🌙 Avoid screens before bed to improve sleep
✅ Benefits of Turning Off Your Phone
If you take Schmidt’s advice seriously and begin setting boundaries around your phone usage, here’s what you might experience:
- Improved Focus & Deep Work: You’ll finally be able to get into the “zone” without interruptions.
- Reduced Anxiety: Constant notifications can trigger stress—less screen time equals more calm.
- Better Sleep: Ditching the phone before bed helps your brain wind down naturally.
- Stronger Relationships: You’ll be more present in conversations and moments with others.
- Enhanced Productivity: Fewer distractions mean you’ll finish more in less time.
💬 Real Talk: Are You Addicted to Your Phone?
It’s not just teens or Gen Z. Everyone, from CEOs to creatives, struggles with screen addiction.
If you:
- Reach for your phone first thing in the morning,
- Feel anxious when you leave it in another room,
- Mindlessly scroll for hours without realizing,
… then it might be time for a reset.
🔄 How to Start Your Digital Detox Today
Want to regain control over your time and focus like Eric Schmidt suggests? Start with these actionable steps:
1. Set Clear Intentions
Why are you detoxing? Whether it’s to finish a project or sleep better, define your goal.
2. Use Tech to Fight Tech
Apps like Forest, Freedom, and Digital Wellbeing help limit your screen time.
3. Start Small
Begin with 30-minute no-phone zones during the day and increase gradually.
4. Create Phone-Free Zones
Keep your phone out of your bedroom, dining table, or workspace.
5. Be Okay With Boredom
Don’t fear silence. That’s where deep thinking and creativity bloom.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Is Tech the Enemy?
Not at all.
Eric Schmidt isn’t advocating for abandoning technology. After all, it’s improved lives in countless ways. But like any powerful tool, tech needs limits.
The question is not whether smartphones are good or bad—it’s whether you control your phone, or your phone controls you.
In Schmidt’s own words, “You cannot enter deep thinking with your phone buzzing constantly.” Take it from someone who helped build the digital world—if he says it’s time to log off, it probably is.
