Parents are crying over viral anti-smartphone ad as Prince Harry warns devices are stealing childhood
A poignant new ad spotlighting the tragic impact of phone addiction among teens is leaving parents in tears — as experts say society is at a “turning point” in the epidemic.The ad for Siroko, a Spanish sportswear brand, spotlights the sad reality for many families, where fights over phone use are now said to be the norm.The tearjerker comes as Prince Harry warned in a discussion this week that smartphones are “stealing young people’s childhood.” “How much life is consumed by your phone,” the ad asks viewers — roughly 20 million of whom screened the spot on TikTok since it went up on Sept.16.
The one-minute not-so-accidental PSA on the horrors of smartphone addiction shows a young girl receiving a phone as a gift — and how quickly she becomes dependent on the device, Today reported.As she does all the things teenagers with phones do, from snapping selfies to trying out viral dances with pals, she rapidly becomes more tired, transforming from a bubbly adolescent into a stressed, exhausted version of herself.In rapid-fire succession, we see scenes of her falling asleep in class, being shocked by internet porn, being subjected to online bullying and more — culminating in a full-stage freakout when her parents try to take away the device.The tragic ad ends on a happier note, as the girl discovers a bike sitting in the garage and takes it out for a spin — with encouraging results.And while the ultimate goal may have been to sell sportswear, parents were quick to embrace the message, calling the ad “fantastic” — and worthy of the Super Bowl.
“Omg, this ad made me cry.I have a 6 year old and I am terrified at what the future looks like with a digital device in her life,” one mother fretted.“Our sweet children deserve better than this,” another sighed.“This hits deep,” one parent confessed.“Why did this make me cry,” still another asked.New research from Finland found that teen girls were spending more than five hours per...