By Our Correspondent
National News – Actor Andrew Garfield has warned that technology companies are exploiting people’s attention, especially among young people, as he promoted the new film adaptation of The Magic Faraway Tree.
Speaking at the film’s premiere in Leicester Square, London, Garfield said the rapid growth of social media and digital platforms has created serious concerns about how people’s attention is manipulated online.
The 42-year-old actor, who plays the father in the new family fantasy film, explained that modern technology is changing how families interact and how children experience the world around them.
Garfield made the remarks during interviews with the BBC at the movie’s UK premiere on March 22, 2026.
The film, based on Enid Blyton’s famous children’s book, follows a family that moves from the city to the countryside where their children discover a magical tree filled with unusual characters and constantly changing fantasy lands.
According to Garfield, the story was adapted for modern audiences to reflect the challenges faced by parents and children in today’s digital age.
He said the film blends humor and adventure while highlighting how constant exposure to social media can distract people from real-life experiences.
The actor stressed that the problem goes beyond entertainment and affects society broadly.
“Our attention is a valuable commodity,” he said, adding that technology companies often monetize and exploit it.
Garfield argued that people must make deliberate efforts to reconnect with nature and meaningful activities away from screens.
Claire Foy, who plays the children’s mother in the film, shared similar concerns.
She said excessive use of digital devices affects both adults and children, warning that many people believe they control their screen time when in reality they do not.
Foy also called on governments to introduce regulations to curb the power of large technology companies.
Actress Nicola Coughlan, who portrays the fairy Silky in the film, admitted she struggles with social media herself.
She said she now deletes the apps after posting to reduce the negative impact they can have on mental well-being.
The new film adaptation hopes to remind audiences about imagination, nature, and family connection in a world increasingly dominated by technology.
