“Brain rot” was crowned Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year back in 2024, as a response to general social concern over what nonstop consumption of lightweight online fare was doing to us. And in a world where platforms such as TikTok rule our digital existences, it is ever more topical. TikTok indeed helps connect people, offering moments of diversion to its millions of users, but its fast and furious nature also cultivates a kind of binge-watching, clickbait culture that can be the enemy of intellectual and cognitive growth.
This post tries to explain the science of “brain rot”, how TikTok is affecting your mind, and what you may want to do about it. We’ll also cover competing arguments about the so-called educational benefits of TikTok and the way it helps promote connection. If you’re wondering how things such as the TikTok Story Viewer are contributing to today’s state of constant overstimulation, read on.
The Science Behind “Brain Rot”
What Is Brain Rot?
The term “brain rot” describes a perceived decline in mental sharpness or intellectual engagement, often resulting from excessive consumption of low-value content. Symptoms can include:
- Difficulty focusing
- Memory lapses
- Confusion
- Cognitive fatigue
Researchers have linked brain rot to prolonged exposure to trivial or overstimulating material, such as the endless scroll of short-form videos.
Brain Rot and Mental Health
Research has found that overexposure to media can have a detrimental effect on mental health. High levels of screen time are frequently linked to increased levels of anxiety and depression, and memory and decision-making problems. There is even research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research that links too much media consumption to physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
Continuous Partial Attention and Cognitive Decline
Continuous Partial Attention (CPA): What Is It?
CPA is a condition where humans move their attention around several sources of information rather than one piece of information. CPA is similar to but uniquely depleting as others share that one’s cognitive resources become divided between two equally demanding tasks. For example, if you’re juggling TikTok videos with texting a friend, you have less ability to focus deeply on either activity.
CPA’s Effect on Learning and Memory
CPA-sustained distractions impair working memory and its central executive component. Research published in the Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics shows that students who watch a lot of short-form video content (a la TikToks) demonstrate worse academic performance and an inability to retain information.
This cognitive gymnastics leads to superficial learning, where you cram knowledge deep down, but miss actually growing your critical thinking and problem-solving muscles. For students, this has direct consequences in performance across subjects that require sustained attention, like math, problem solving, or writing an essay.
The Allure of Doomscrolling and Its Psychological Consequences
What Is Doomscrolling?
Doomscrolling is the habit of endlessly scrolling down the screen of your smartphone or tablet while reading bad news, and bad news only. TikTok, primarily an entertainment platform, also has its own doomscroll-worthy content that keeps users browsing.
The Toll It Takes
Research has found that doomscrolling contributes to stress and anxiety, especially among younger users. What happens is that we get caught in a dopamine feedback loop of seeking more and more negativity and then feeling emotionally drained. Additionally, women and younger users are at heightened risk, according to research from the Guangdong University of Technology.
TikTok’s Design and the Dopamine Loop
The Algorithmic Trap
TikTok’s underlying design principles center around maximizing engagement. With an unceasing flow of hyper-personalized content, the platform is addictive. Each swipe of the finger brings a dopamine hit, strengthening a habit loop that makes it difficult to unplug.
The Damage Done by Short-Form Videos
Short videos require no brain activity. Amusing, perhaps, but this kind of brevity doesn’t invite the kind of engagement or critical thinking we need. If the brain’s analytic function is undermined by short form, the result is chronic distraction.” Graduates of these three generations learned to answer shallow, speedy media messages so they could “just get it done” or “click through.”
For one thing, unlike places like Viprow, which packages events like sports games into complete and organized forms, TikTok is primed for quick, bite-sized consumption. This makes for a disjointed experience that taxes working memory for little intellectual return.
TikTok Is Just a Tool, Isn’t It? Addressing Counterarguments
- Educational Content on TikTok: While users may share educational snippets, the algorithm often prioritizes clickbait and entertainment. This dilutes the platform’s potential as a serious learning tool.
- Fostering Connection: TikTok can reduce loneliness, but excessive use leads to social comparison and feelings of inadequacy, exacerbating isolation rather than fostering authentic relationships.
- User Responsibility: While some claim that TikTok’s effects depend on how individuals use it, the platform’s design exploits psychological vulnerabilities, making it nearly impossible to control consumption patterns effectively.
Countermeasures and Mitigation Strategies
TikTok’s Efforts
TikTok has introduced features like Sleep Hours and guided meditation options to discourage late-night scrolling. While promising, these initiatives still rely heavily on personal discipline.
Practical Strategies for Individuals
Here are simple yet effective steps to minimize TikTok-induced brain rot:
- Set Limits: Establish screen time boundaries using app timers.
- Take Breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule for screens (every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
- Cultivate Boredom: Research shows that boredom stimulates creativity and problem-solving.
- Practice Mindfulness: Dedicate 10 minutes daily to mindfulness practices to hone focus and reduce digital overwhelm.
Confronting the Cultural Shift
Achieving a long-term solution requires more than individual action. Policymakers and tech companies must take responsibility by:
- Regulating Platforms: Include features to prevent content overconsumption, especially for younger users.
- Promoting Digital Hygiene: Incentivize positive online behaviors through design enhancements.
- Enhancing Education: Teach younger generations to evaluate digital content critically.
Reclaiming Intellectual Growth in a TikTok Era
Platforms like TikTok have begun to usher in a new era of entertainment, but at a significant cognitive cost. From continuous partial attention to the dopamine-driven doomscrolling enabled by Twitter, the effect of TikTok on mental function and intellectual development can’t be escaped.
The solution to these harmful effects is for users to develop mindful digital habits, for the tech industry to behave more responsibly, and for policymakers to prioritise mental health in a hyperconnected world. By practicing this, we are effectively “sealing in” our cognitive abilities and profiting from all the wonderful things technology can bring us.