The Drug in Our Pocket (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

The Drug in Our Pocket examines how smartphones have changed childhood, adolescence and mental health. Through conversations with young people, parents and experts, the documentary considers the ways digital environments influence attention, emotions and identity.

The Drug in Our Pocket is a 2026 documentary about the effects smartphones can have on childhood, adolescence and mental health. Rather than treating digital technology only as a tool for communication, the film considers how it may also shape attention, emotions and a young person’s sense of self.

Directed by Anne Sundberg, the 77-minute film brings together conversations with young people, parents and leading experts. Its focus is on a generation that is increasingly thoughtful and articulate about the digital environments surrounding everyday life.

The Drug in Our Pocket movie details

Story without spoilers

The documentary investigates the far-reaching impact of smartphones on younger people. Its central subject is the transformation of childhood and adolescence in an era when digital devices are designed to keep people connected and engaged.

The film uses intimate discussions with young people and parents alongside contributions from experts. These conversations explore attention, emotional experience and identity, while also presenting young people as active observers of the digital forces affecting them rather than simply as passive users of technology.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a focused documentary built around interviews and expert perspectives rather than a fictional narrative. The subject matter connects smartphone use with broader questions about growing up, mental health and the influence of digital environments.

The film’s 1-hour-17-minute runtime allows it to remain a concise examination of a wide-ranging topic. Its approach appears centered on personal testimony and informed discussion, with particular attention to how young people understand the role technology plays in their lives.

Cast and creative team

The Drug in Our Pocket is directed by Anne Sundberg, who also shares writing credit with Beth Kojima and John Wayland. The documentary features Audrey Wisch, Lisa Damour, Arturo Béjar, Becky Kennedy and Jeff Horwitz. The supplied credits do not assign character roles, reflecting the film’s documentary format.

• Audrey Wisch
• Lisa Damour
• Arturo Béjar
• Becky Kennedy
• Jeff Horwitz

Release and production context

The Drug in Our Pocket is a United States production in English. It is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of October 3, 2026, and a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. The production companies are Get to the Yes Productions, Third Space Productions and Artemis Rising.

Production companies: Get to the Yes Productions, Third Space Productions, Artemis Rising

Movies Dock view

With its combination of personal conversations and expert commentary, The Drug in Our Pocket presents a compact examination of smartphones’ place in the lives of children and adolescents. Its subject is contemporary and specific: how digital environments can influence attention, emotions and a developing sense of identity.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb