“Metaphone”, the fake acrylic smartphone becomes viral on Tiktok and turns on the debate on digital dependence

In a scene that seems to be released from a science fiction film or a dystopian novel, A girl awaits her turn in a cafeteria of San Francisco, the eyes fixed on a transparent device that looks like a smartphone, but it is not. The video, published on Tiktokquickly exceeded 50 million views, leaving the users perplexed: Is it a new technological gadget or an artistic provocation? The answer: it is a “Methaphone “that is, one acrylic reply of a smartphonecreated to explore our dependence on technology.

The Methaphone phenomenon, fake Smarthpone against mobile addiction

The protagonist of the video, known on Tiktok as @askcatgptexplained that the Methaphone was conceived by a friend of his with the intent to test if the physical act of hold a phone can satisfy the compulsive need for digital interaction. The object, without any functionality, serves as a tool to reflect on ours relationship (often obsessive-compulsive) with technology And, in particular, on the addiction to our mobile phone. In a second video Posted on Tiktok, Cat said: «This plastic piece seems to represent directly The collective frustration caused by our phonesthat instead of really connecting us often they move us away ». Despite the experiment that became viral, Cat admitted that he did not reduce his use of the smartphonebut he is happy to have started an important conversation on digital dependence.

The opinion of the expert: the psychologist analyzes the Methaphone experiment

We deepen the topic (very topical). According to the psychologist Elena Benvenuti«The Methaphone that has become viral on social networks represents An interesting metaphor of our addiction to smartphones. Simulates the act of using a phone without providing digital stimuli, allowing an awareness of compulsive behavior which often binds us to this technological object ». However, Dr. Benvenuti warns: «Although it may be a first step towards awareness, The metaphone does not replace more structured strategies to face digital dependence. Among these, the use of apps are useful to monitor the time spent online, the Definition of precise disconnection timesand, during which to turn off the smartphone, and, in the most serious cases, Psychotherapeutic support. Ignore the addiction to smartphone can lead to social isolation, in addition to sleep disorders, poor self -esteem, anxiety. It is essential to face it with seriousness and adequate tools », concludes the expert.