Steve Jobs severely limited his own children’s access to products, such as the iPad. Other technology companies, such as Instagram, Facebook, Tinder, and Netflix, employ design strategies that encourage endless consumption. Almost anyone can become addicted to something given the right circumstances. In modern times, the circumstances are ripe for behavioral addictions. Companies who design tech products and online experiences are skillful at engineering such addictions. Irresistible aims to analyze the advent of behavioral addictions and to prescribe counterbalances and solutions to them. 

After wishing he spent more quality time with loved ones instead of on his phone, an app developer named Kevin Holesh invented an app called Moment. Moment kept track of how much time one spent using one’s smartphone. After sharing the app, Holesh learned that the average amount of time his users spent on their smartphones was around three hours. As many as 40% of those who play the online game World of Warcraft (or WoW) could be considered addicted to it. Exercise watches and pornography are also common addictions. Tempting and convenient experiences are rampant in society and therefore difficult to escape.

For a behavior to be considered addictive, it must bring more negative consequences than positive ones.