The production consists of three episodes and features real-life cases related to different forms of addiction to the digital world.
The impact that social media and major tech companies have on children and teenagers has once again taken center stage in international debate. The agreement recently reached by Meta to settle lawsuits accusing the company of exposing minors to potential risks has reignited an issue of growing concern for families, educators, and specialists: how to guide younger generations within a digital ecosystem that consumes an ever-increasing part of their daily lives.
Although this concern has existed for some time, its scope has intensified in recent years. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, believes we are facing a “historic turning point” in our relationship with technology, emphasizing that society is beginning to become more aware of some of its consequences.
This discussion has also moved into legislative and judicial arenas, where measures such as age verification, screen time limits, and restrictions on certain platform features are being examined.
Against this backdrop, ‘Screen Addicts’ takes on particular relevance. The documentary series—produced by the Spanish company Onza, with Alejandro G. Roemmers and Manu Fabeiro serving as executive producers—examines some of the most severe manifestations of screen dependence among young people.
The production consists of three episodes and features real-life cases related to different forms of digital addiction. Laura tries to move past her dependence on TikTok and OnlyFans; Bru explains how compulsive pornography consumption trapped him from childhood; while Daniel lays bare the fallout from his online gambling addiction, a habit that cost him more than €100,000.
However, Screen Addicts does not stop at personal experiences. The documentary also examines the strategies used by digital platforms to capture and retain user attention, with a particular focus on youth. To thoroughly analyze its effects on mental health, attention span, and social relationships, the series features contributions from experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, education, and technology.
“Every advance made by humanity also brings a responsibility. Technology has brought us closer than ever, but we must ask ourselves whether we know how to use it without drifting away from ourselves and from those around us. Screen Addicts was born from that concern and from the need to spark a conversation that helps us build a more human and conscious relationship with the digital world,” states Alejandro G. Roemmers, executive producer of the documentary.
In Spain, ‘Screen Addicts’ is available on Atresplayer. The series has also achieved a notable international presence. It is available on Flow in Argentina; on ViX/ViX+ in the United States and Latin America; on ViX/ViX+ and Amazon Prime Video in Mexico; on ZDF in Germany; on RTBF in Belgium; on RTV Slovenija in Slovenia; on CNN Portugal in Portugal; and on Al Jazeera in the Middle East and North Africa.
This extensive international distribution underscores that this is a global challenge capable of crossing both borders and generations. In the face of technology that is now fully woven into daily routines, Screen Addicts seeks to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and provide tools to build a more balanced, responsible relationship with the digital environment—especially among younger users.
