Adolescents' mobile technology use is often regulated through rigid control mechanisms that fail to account for their autonomy and natural usage patterns. Drawing on Taoist philosophy, particularly Wu Wei, Yin-Yang, and Zi Ran, this position paper proposes Tao-Technology, a self-organizing, adaptive regulatory framework. Integrating insights from Reflective Informatics and Information Ecologies, we explore how mobile technology can dynamically adjust to context while fostering self-reflection and meaning-making. This approach shifts from external restrictions to dynamic co-adaptative regulation, ensuring technology governance remains flexible yet structured, supporting adolescents in cultivating a balanced and intentional relationship with digital technology.
@article{arxiv.2507.12204,
title = {Tao-Technology for Teen Mobile Use: Harmonizing Adaptation, Autonomy, and Reflection},
author = {Pengyu Zhu and Janghee Cho},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.12204},
year = {2025}
}