Is the attention economy reshaping a generation?
⏳ Feel like you’re always running out of time, but still can’t stop scrolling? 📱
That’s not an accident. Welcome to the attention economy, a multi-trillion euro system designed to hijack your focus, one notification at a time. From algorithms that shape your behaviour to streaming platforms that keep you hooked, this video explores how your attention has become the most valuable currency of our age.
You’ll hear real-life stories from people who feel their focus slipping, and discover the impact this is having on the productivity and mental health of younger generations – and what the EU is doing to fight back. Most importantly, we’ll share practical tips to help you take back control of your attention.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe!
⌚ Timestamps
0:00 - 0:53 Introduction
00:57 - 02:35 What is the attention economy
2:36 - 3:40 The business of attention
3:41 - 6:23 The impact on younger generations
6:24 - 7:41 Mental heath
7:42 - 9:08 The EU response: regulations and debates
9:09 - 9:54 Taking back control
9:55 - 10:35 Closing
🔬 Sources
United Nations Economists Network: Attention Economy https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/f...
PwC: Global Entertainment & Media Outlook
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/p...
GWI: 28 streaming statistics and trends for 2025
https://www.gwi.com/blog/streaming-tr...
EWA: To What Extent Does Excessive Addiction to Short Videos Affect Teenagers’ Mental Health? https://www.ewadirect.com/journal/asb...
Observer: The Attention Economy, : Power, Profit and Privacy in the Digital Era
https://observer.com/2024/12/attentio...
European Commission: About the Digital Markets Act
https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa...
European Parliament: New EU rules needed to make digital platforms less addictive
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/e...
Les Enovateurs: Is Infinite Scroll Coming to an End?
https://les-enovateurs.com/infinite-s...
📱 Stay connected with us
Instagram: / europeancentralbank
LinkedIn: / european-central-bank
WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029...
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of the ECB. The information presented is:
• of a general nature and not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entitynot addressing specific circumstances;
• sometimes linked to external sites over which the ECB has no control and for which the ECB assumes no responsibilitybeyond the ECB’s control;
• not intended to constitute professional or legal advicenot professional or legal advice.
Non-English translations (including subtitles and the automatic dubbing feature) are automatically generated by YouTube, and the ECB assumes no responsibility for their accuracy.
#AttentionEconomy #DigitalWellbeing #Productivity #Economics #MentalHealth #DoomScrolling #Algorithm #genz