Fox News' Tyrus and Dr. Mike Israetel Warn Phones Erode Social Bonds and Independence

Fox News contributor Tyrus and bodybuilder Dr. Mike Israetel examined technology's hold on daily life during a recent episode of the "Planet Tyrus" podcast.

Tyrus asked Israetel if he could put his phone down for a weekend. "A lot of people, they would get anxiety," Tyrus said. Israetel replied, "If Wi-Fi went out tomorrow — chaos."

The pair raised concerns about constant connectivity's effects on relationships and social growth. "Some fraction, at least, of the population doesn’t have a lot of close friends," Israetel said.

Isolation rates are climbing. A 2021 survey by the Survey Center on American Life showed the share of Americans with no close friends rose from 3 percent in 1990 to 12 percent in 2021.

Mental health issues are increasing too. A 2026 Gallup poll found 19 percent of Americans reported having or receiving treatment for depression, up nearly nine percentage points from 2015.

Tyrus called it a cultural shift, especially for young people. "It’s made so easy for young men not to do s--- now," he said. He argued that easy access to comfort cuts the drive for independence.

Such convenience carries risks, they said. Quick answers, maps and entertainment might stunt problem-solving and resilience.

Tyrus mentioned a talk with his wife about days feeling shorter. "I think because the time that we used to figure things out or go to the store or go on a walk is now on your phone," Israetel responded. He said people struggle with the flood of digital content. "There’s just too much input stream," Israetel added.

Tyrus wondered if society would rebel against nonstop digital use and return to simpler habits. Israetel predicted deeper immersion first. He said AI assistants could soon manage most online tasks, removing the need to scroll or click.

Even so, those systems might urge breaks. "Why don’t we unplug?" an AI assistant might suggest, Israetel noted.