[오블완 챌린지] 스마트폰 중독에 관한 영상 대본 영어 번역

Smartphones have become an essential part of modern life. It’s hard to deny just how deeply they’ve integrated into our daily routines so much. so that many of us can hardly imagine getting through the day without one. With just a few taps, we can order food to our door, have items delivered, trade stocks, and even watch real-time events from the other side of the world from the comfort of our beds.

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• get through the day: 하루를 버티다, 하루를 견디다

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While smartphones have certainly made our lives more convenient, they come with some downsides. How have people changed compared to a time when smartphones weren’t around? Take a moment to check in with yourself — are you putting off tasks and responsibilities in front of you? Have you been feeling more anxious than usual or maybe even a bit drained?

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• procrastination: 미루는 버릇, 지연, 연기
• be prone to: ~하는 경향이 있다
• apathy: 무관심
• drained: 진이 빠진, 무기력한

To understand the impact, let’s consider an example from the past. In London, taxi drivers had to pass a tough licensing test, requiring them to memorize complex routes. A study even showed that London cabbies had more developed hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in learning and memory. But with the rise of GPS, drivers no longer need to learn these routes.

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• cabby: 택시 기사
• hippocampus: 해마

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They just follow instructions, which might be convenient, but it takes away a mental workout that used to keep their brains sharp. In the same way, smartphones handle so much for us now that we don’t really need to learn or remember as much. Instead, we end up spending more time just passively staring at screens.

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• end up ~ing: 결국 ~하게 되다

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This change leads to what some people call “digital dementia” We’re using our brains less actively, which can contribute to mental decline. Tasks that used to involve problem-solving, focus, and engagement are now easily bypassed by reaching for our phones. It’s not a stretch to say that our reliance on screens has weakened our mental resilience.

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• dementia: 치매
• bypass: 우회하다, 건너뛰다
• It’s not a stretch to say that: ~해도 과언이 아니다
• resilience; 회복력

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Notice how some of the biggest names in tech actually limit their own kids' screen time. Bill Gates, for instance, set strict limits on his kids' use of digital devices and even admitted he didn’t fully anticipate the effects of constant tech access. Steve Jobs famously didn’t let his kids use iPads until they were teenagers, and he made sure family dinners and bedrooms stayed tech-free. A lot of tech entrepreneurs know firsthand how digital devices can impact mental health, so they’re extra careful to shield their kids from it.

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• anticipate: 예상하다
• firsthand: 직접
• extra careful: 각별히 조심하다

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Even though we have more wealth and convenience than ever, today’s society is facing record levels of anxiety, depression, and apathy. People often try to dodge their responsibilities by escaping into the digital world, but that only ends up creating more stress. Why? Because too much screen time is linked to lower self-control and more impulsivity.

When we put off tough tasks for quick digital distractions, we just feel worse afterward, realizing we’ve wasted our time.

A healthy body supports a healthy mind, and the opposite is true, too. Humans evolved to move, stay alert, and respond to their surroundings. But now, we spend hours glued to screens. Our brains need real stimulation to stay sharp, and exercise is one of the best ways to keep both the mind and body strong and prevent mental decline.

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• impulsivity: 충동성

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One of the most effective ways to engage our brains is by reading and writing, which encourage deep, critical thinking. Scrolling through social media shortens our attention span and scatters our focus, while reading a book pushes us to think more deeply. Studies even show that regular readers have more active prefrontal cortexes — the part of the brain involved in complex thought, impulse control, empathy, and decision-making.

In short, digital devices might seem harmless, but they have a big impact on our mental well-being. For a more fulfilling life, it’s worth being mindful of how much time we spend on our phones and making time for activities that actually strengthen our minds like reading, writing, and staying active.

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• attention span: 집중력
• prefrontal cortexes: 전전두엽
• empathy: 공감
• be worth ~ing: ~할 가치가 있다, ~할 만하다