Arianna Huffington Wants to Save You From Your Phone
*By Britt Terrell*
As we become more aware of the potential health hazards of spending too much time glued to screens, company's like Apple and Google are helping users combat digital dependency. And one of the world's most prominent voices in digital media has a few suggestions on how consumers can fight their own tech addiction.
Arianna Huffington, the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, has partnered with the biotech company Shire to raise awareness about the potential dangers of screens and how users can protect their eyes
"There is a lot we can do," Huffington said Wednesday in an interview with Cheddar. "For example, if you have dry eyes, blink more or take breaks every 20 minutes."
She also advised people who have jobs that keep them in front of a computer most of the day to get moving. "Take walking meetings, the weather is now great, get out and walk rather than doing meetings at home and multitasking," Huffington said.
Thrive Global is working with companies such as Accenture, JP Morgan Chase, and Hilton Hotels, which are trying to change workplace behavior and "actually helping their employees set more boundaries."
Huffington said Thrive Global helps employers set expectations for their workers when it comes to the amount of time they are spending on their phones, which affects productivity and mental health.
Americans are never going to fully give up their screens, Huffington said, so setting boundaries is important.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/arianna-huffington-talks-tackling-tech-addiction).
Big Apple workers who deliver for food apps like Doordash and Grubhub will now receive a number of legal protections provided through a package of new regulations that have started going into effect. These updated rules include more control over their deliveries, pay and tip transparency, a higher minimum pay rate, and access to restaurant bathrooms during the workday. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander joined Cheddar to elaborate on the regulations and how the platform holders reacted. "I have to say it's a mixed bag," he said. "Grubhub actually welcomed the legislation and said they recognize they need to do better by their deliveristas, but DoorDash, unfortunately, has actually been pushing back against the legislation."
Ed Gaussen, co-founder and CEO of Mantra Health, and Matt Kennedy, co-founder and COO of Mantra Health, joined Cheddar News to discuss the digital mental health startup's latest funding round and plans for the future.
Tire manufacturer Michelin is partnering with the popular video game "The Sims FreePlay" in order to meet teens where they are to promote driving safety. Michelin North America Chairman and President Alexis Garcin joined Cheddar News to discuss how the #GoldenGauge program integrates with the game. "If you're a gamer yourself or your kids, then while you're driving and moving on the application, you will find a Michelin billboard, and if you engage with that billboard, then you will get some advice about how tires are critical for your safety on the road," Garcin explained. *Updated with the full title of 'The Sims FreePlay' and a typo fix in the name of Alexis Garcin.*
The video game industry has come a long way from the first commercialized 3D video game in 1980, but it still has a long way to go. Video game creators have recently been called out for not having realistic Black hairstyles in their games and graphic artists are now taking matters into their own hands by creating The Open Source Afro Hair Library. Jovan Wilson, 3D artist and resident for The Open Source Afro Hair Library, joined All Hands to discuss.
After reporting record deliveries in Q4, expectations are high for Tesla's Q4 earnings call. Garrett Nelson, senior analyst and VP of equity research at CFRA, joined Cheddar News to discuss predictions about the report and what he sees as the emphasis on the EV maker's future. "We think the focal point of the release is really going to be on their guidance for 2022, the timing of the ramp-up of their new factories in Texas and Germany in the face of these chip shortages and supply chain issues, and also next steps in its long-term growth plans," he noted.
