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Social Media and Shrinking Attention Spans: Understanding "Brain Rot"

Our dwindling attention spans may be victims of "brain rot" – Oxford's 2024 word of the year that describes how social media potentially deteriorates our cognitive functions. While your brain isn't literally rotting, experts explain that constant scrolling trains our minds to chase novelty and instant gratification. This digital habit weakens neural pathways needed for sustained focus and deep thinking. Fortunately, these effects aren't permanent. Experts recommend setting time limits on social media, spending time in nature, and engaging with challenging long-form content to restore cognitive function and rebuild your attention muscles.


 
 
 

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