Scrolling On Social Media: Continuous scrolling through shallow, low-value social media content can lead to what is termed “brain rot.”
The Oxford University Press has chosen the term “brain rot” as the word of the year.
This term refers to the decline in an individual’s mental or intellectual state, particularly due to excessive exposure to superficial or non-challenging content, especially online content. Experts argue that endless scrolling on social media and other online platforms does exactly this, causing what they call “brain rot.”
Scrolling On Social Media, According to the New York Post, Dr. Kyra Bobinet, a specialist in behavioral neuroscience and author of the book The Unstoppable Mind, notes that awareness of “brain rot” and its consequences is growing.
Aimless Scrolling On Social Media
This California-based Behavioral Neuroscientist Explained:
Scrolling On Social Media, “Many people today struggle with focusing. They experience brain fog and are unable to engage in deep, concentrated work. In addition, we are simultaneously facing a loneliness epidemic because we cannot focus on anything, including building and maintaining relationships.”
Getting Trapped In The Cycle Of Endless Online Scrolling
Bobinet explains that a part of the brain called the habenula is responsible for dragging us into the cycle of endless, aimless scrolling through social media pages.
Scrolling On Social Media, The habenula is a region of the brain involved in essential functions like motivation and decision-making. However, when activated, it can diminish our motivation to make an effort.
She Elaborated:
Scrolling On Social Media, “This is the moment when you know you should do something important, but instead, you find yourself endlessly scrolling and getting lost in negative, discouraging, or meaningless content.”
Bobinet describes social media scrolling as a way to “disconnect” and let the brain rest after a long day. This behavior is actually a form of avoidance, controlled by the habenula. She added:
“Whenever you’re avoiding something, know that this part of your brain is activated.”
Scrolling On Social Media, This, she warns, is how social media addiction develops. The habenula can make stopping the scroll “very painful.” It can also result in a loss of motivation, which has dangerous implications since motivation is essential for achieving goals, building confidence, and leading a fulfilling life.
How To Prevent “Brain Rot”
Bobinet explains that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to prevent brain rot. The key is to find a personal approach to mitigate it, which can be achieved through gradual adjustments and consistent changes over time.
She Said:
Scrolling On Social Media, “Humans are incredibly adaptable. Once we understand how our bodies and minds work, we can take steps to change.”
Dr. Dan Grant, a national advisor on the healthy use of electronic devices, emphasizes that content creators aim to make users dependent on their devices. He pointed out that algorithm designers are highly strategic:
Scrolling On Social Media, “They exploit brain mechanisms that trigger emotions and emotional attachments to encourage people to use their devices and consume more content. It’s the same tactic slot machine designers use — urging you to pull the lever without knowing how much you’ll win.”
Grant Remarked:
Scrolling On Social Media, “I’m concerned about the decline of many things, including imagination. It feels like there’s no need to imagine anymore. I worry about memory and learning. Often, children tell me they’ve spent eight hours watching videos and wandering aimlessly online. This disrupts sleep hygiene.”
He Added:
“I ask them if they can recall any of the videos they watched. None of them could genuinely remember anything they had seen.”
Grant Warned:
“Our brain performance is deteriorating. Memory is declining, and attention spans are shrinking.”
Strategies To Combat Endless Scrolling
Scrolling On Social Media, To avoid the trap of endless scrolling and exposure to meaningless content, especially for children, Grant suggests reducing screen time by making phone calls to friends or having video chats with family. He also emphasizes the importance of strategically dividing online time so that most of it is spent on meaningful and valuable content, leaving only a portion for entertainment.
To improve digital hygiene, Grant recommends setting boundaries for technology use, such as establishing phone-free times at home. He also suggests engaging in physical activities and playing educational or memory-challenging games.
Scrolling On Social Media, Lastly, he advises that after spending time online, reflect by asking yourself:
“Am I satisfied with how I spent my time?”
Also Read:
Internet Usage By Elderly 2024 Update: How Internet Usage Supports Mental Health In Older Adults
Mobile Phone Use In Bed: If You Want To Sleep Well, Don’t Take Your Phone To Bed
Heart Disease Risk Factors: Can Mobile Phones Contribute To Increased Risk?
