‘Brain rot’ condition from TikTok scrolling more than a memed side-effect
The so-called “brain rot” is said to be more than a memed side-effect. The American Psychological Association (APA), in their recent findings, confirms that brain rot is not only real but it’s an actual neurocognitive syndrome that causes measurable damage.
Oxford Dictionary crowned ‘brain rot’ in 2024, as Word of the Year. The term captured concerns about the impact of consuming “excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media.” Well, that’s where the problem lies, in the perception that such content is high quality instead. Young people are hooked and screen addiction follows!
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The APA study, titled “Feeds, Feelings, and Focus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Cognitive and Mental Health Correlates of Short-Form Video Use”, directly ties short-form video content (SFV) from algorithm-driven platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts to brain rot.
Researchers analyzed data from 98,299 participants across 71 studies, and discovered that the more short-form content a person watches, the poorer cognitive performance they had when it comes to attention and inhibitory control. And the videos are being watched a lot, as the review shows that young people now average 6.5 hours per day online.
The study states: “According to this framework, repeated exposure to highly stimulating, fast-paced content may contribute to habituation, in which users become desensitized to slower, more effortful cognitive tasks such as reading, problem solving, or deep learning.” Habituation stimulates the brain’s reward system which, according to the study reinforces habitual use, which can lead to “social isolation, lower life satisfaction, and even self-esteem.”
In a related ASI article, it was cited that the amount of time spent on social media, the frequency of posts, and how we respond to messages—all these clues, when combined, can paint a surprising picture of our mental health. While we often talk about the effects of technology on the brain, we sometimes forget that our online behavior also reflects our vulnerabilities.
Previous studies conducted in recent years have shown a direct link between certain digital uses and symptoms such as anxiety, depression, isolation, or chronic stress. The point here is not to make a diagnosis through a screen, but to observe how our online lives sometimes become a mirror of a deeper malaise.
Reference: TikTok scrolling can cause ‘brain rot’ according to new American Psychological Association study
