Can We Fight Nomophobia Alone? The Case for a Structural and Ecological Shift

This conceptual article argues for a paradigm shift in understanding nomophobia, re-framing it from an individual anxiety disorder to a structural consequence of a so-cio-technical ecosystem engineered to capture and monetize attention. This "attention economy" fosters a culture of permanent availability and hyper-connection, systemati-cally displacing essential pillars of well-being—such as restorative sleep, contact with nature, and physical activity. Consequently, effectively addressing nomophobia and related digital harms necessitates moving beyond individual-level solutions to a multi-level framework that integrates personal strategies with collective, systemic actions. To establish the foundational conditions for digital well-being, a macro-level social pact is urgently needed. This entails robust platform governance, coordinated public policies across sectors, and the organizational redesign of schools and workplaces to align insti-tutional structures with human, rather than technological, imperatives. This multilevel framework is operationalized through evidence-based strategies that target core human needs, including fostering connection with nature, promoting regular physical activity, implementing digital well-being measures, delivering educational programs for ado-lescents, and leveraging vicarious learning, all supported by sleep hygiene and struc-tured digital practices. Rather than a specific protocol, this article proposes an ecological toolkit for intervention. Central to this toolkit are psychological approaches and critical literacy—cross-cutting capacities that empower individuals and communities to self-regulate while also enabling them to challenge and reshape the very digital envi-ronments that drive nomophobia.