By: Nirvana Ramoutar
Have you ever scrolled on Tik Tok or Instagram for far too long and felt completely fatigued after? Research shows that you are not alone. It has been recorded that the more time you spend engaging with social media, the more cognitive challenges may arise. This is due to the overconsumption of short-form content which is repetitive and creates concern on how the brain health of all age groups will be affected. The recent media has coined the term, “Brain Rot” to describe the effects of this overly stimulating content.
Brain Rot may be linked to behaviors that overtax our brain’s reward system. On Tik Tok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc. there are algorithms that pick up on what videos you like based on your interactions (comments, likes, shares, watch duration). This makes watching videos addictive as the platform is designed to keep us engaged and responsive. As we continue scrolling, our brain creates short bursts of dopamine with each video we like. Over time, this form of constant stimulation can affect your cognitive health.
What are the effects of brain rot?
- Reduced attention span making it harder to focus on longer, complex tasks
- Mental fatigue from the overload of information to the brain
- Decreased memory retention through the constant shift between digital distractions
- Increased anxiety or stress from repetitive consumption of negative news, also known as “doomscrolling”
A study by Jin Xie was done where 35 published studies based on excessive screen time, internet addiction, doomscrolling, cognitive performance, attention; memory and problem-solving were examined. The main finding was that there were links between high digital engagement and cognitive challenges. For example, short-form video addiction had a significant positive predictive effect on academic procrastination both directly and indirectly. Students would start procrastinating because of their lack of focus due to repetitive scrolling. Screen time was also associated with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among students. It is important to understand that these effects can happen to people of all ages. However, due to adolescents’ developing brains, it can be inferred that overconsumption of social media can be harmful.
Because of the extent of these negative effects, it may be beneficial to promote activities that do not require us to be in front of a screen. Sometimes it is not possible to stop internet use since there are individuals that work online and use online devices in school; however there are steps you can take to maintain cognitive health.
- Be intentional about what you consume online. If it is negative, try to stay away
- Take regular breaks by following the 20-20-20 rule by taking a 20 second break for every 20 minutes of screen time to look at something 20 feet away
- Set screen time limits within apps of use
- Engage in offline activities
- Focus on sleeping instead of staring at screens before bed, as it disturbs sleep patterns
Remember you have the ability to control your screen time. As long as you are mindful of your media consumption you can still enjoy the benefits of technology without getting stuck in negative cycles and while keeping your brain and mind healthy.
If you or someone you know is suffering with mental health issues and are in need of treatment, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ .
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10756502/
Source for Picture:https://providenceproject.org/addiction/behavioural/social-media/
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