In “When Our Phone Dies, So Do People,” Rawane Loutfi delivers a thought-provoking TEDx talk that explores the profound connection between our digital devices and our sense of identity. Loutfi discusses how smartphones have become extensions of ourselves, shaping our relationships, interactions, and even our self-worth. With a blend of personal anecdotes and societal observations, he examines the emotional turmoil that arises when our devices fail us, comparing a phone’s death to a loss of identity.
He argues that the fear of disconnection isn’t just about losing communication; it’s about losing a piece of ourselves. Loutfi encourages the audience to reflect on their dependence on technology and challenges them to cultivate deeper, more authentic connections beyond their screens. By highlighting the necessity of stepping away from our devices, he advocates for a balance that preserves our humanity in an increasingly digital world. This talk serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of human connection amidst our tech-driven lives.
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Author Video Description
The reality for neurodivergent people is shaped by misinformation and stigma that holds them back. I’ve seen it firsthand with my sister’s condition, Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency, and how society often fails to see the full potential of individuals who are different. But I’ve also seen how small, actionable changes can spark hope, and that’s exactly what I’m doing through ZoomBrains.
I’ve made it my mission to fight back; not with speeches or complaints, but with real, tangible solutions. My mission goes beyond talking about the problem; it aims to create hope through action: I’m developing storybooks and digital games designed to give neurodivergent individuals the tools to thrive; tools that are specifically designed to challenge the false narratives and stigma that surround ADHD, autism, and other conditions.
In my talk, I’ll show UWCAD that young people don’t just talk about problems; we solve them. I’ll share how we can challenge misinformation online and in real life; creating content, tools, and resources that actually help our communities. In her talk, Rawane shares how a single missed message exposed the life-or-death stakes of mental health neglect. Born in a small village in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, She grew up seeing the cost of silence around mental health. That silence became personal when, still in Morocco, a friend’s crisis text—cut off by a dead phone—made the urgency impossible to ignore. But it also sparked a mission. Now at UWC Adriatic, she founded ZoomBrains to turn urgency into action, creating a space where neurodivergent and struggling individuals can find real support. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
About TEDxTalks
TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “When Our Phone Dies, So Do People | Rawane Loutfi | TEDxUWCAdriatic” was uploaded on 04/21/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks