Digital media use is increasing rapidly among young people, leading to cognitive decline and mental fatigue. According to researchers at Boston Children's Hospital in the US, this process is called “problematic interactive media use” and has a negative impact on young people's attention, memory and cognitive performance. Research shows that excessive social media use leads to distraction, memory loss, and reduced academic performance. Neuropsychologist Merve Doğru from the University of Health Sciences states that this situation is linked to a process called “brain decay”.
We spoke to neuropsychologist Merve Doğru about the concept of brain decline and its effects.
Your brain is a muscle and like any other muscle, it needs to be challenged to stay strong. If you give your brain the same content over and over again with little effort, it won't get the exercise it needs to stay sharp and decline will set in.
Neuropsychologist Merve Doğru
How does digital addiction affect the brain? What does the research say?
Excessive social media use shortens young people's attention spans and disrupts the brain's natural rest cycle. A study conducted in 2024 at the University of Oxford shows that constant exposure to stimuli on the brain causes symptoms such as distraction, mental fatigue and cognitive decline. Addiction to digital media not only weakens social relationships, but also increases the frequency of loneliness and depression. In young people, this situation leads to social isolation and affects cognitive development.
Another study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) says that constant screen use slows down brain functions. This situation not only leads to cognitive decline, but also to a decline in young people's ability to empathize. Experts say that when the brain is exposed to excessive digital stimulation, people lose touch with their surroundings and have difficulty adapting to the real world.
“Digital media addiction is a harbinger of cognitive decline”
Overuse of digital media has been linked to “brain rot,” which leads to cognitive decline. According to neuropsychologist Merve Doğru, excessive use of technology leads to acute and long-term changes in attention and memory.
“It's fun to surf virtually most of the time and watch funny videos, but if that's all, your brain isn't getting the exercise it needs. Think of it this way: your brain is a muscle and, like any other muscle, it needs to be challenged to stay strong. If you give your brain the same content over and over again with little effort, it won't get the exercise it needs to stay seated, and so decay begins.
Merve Doğru states that constant screen scrolling also impairs the brain's ability to encode and store information:
“Continuous and repetitive screen scrolling can negatively impact an individual’s mental abilities by impairing the brain’s ability to encode and store information. It may also be associated with a weakening of the brain's executive functions such as planning, organization, problem-solving, decision-making and working memory.”
What impact does “doomscrolling” have on teenagers?
The intensive use of digital media is now more likely to lead to problems such as reduced attention span and cognitive fatigue among young people. The role of social media platforms in this process is obvious. Merve Doğru discusses “doomscrolling” activities as an important example of emotional and mental health. Because such behaviors have a negative impact on the brain's reward system.
“With uncontrolled use of digital media, the person’s mental and emotional well-being begins to decline. Activities like doomscrolling, for example, impact the brain's reward system. This is because people tend to prioritize and remember negative information more than positive information.” “This is why being faced with sad news is even more depressing.” “A study found that people who excessively consuming a lot of negative news, having poorer mental and even physical health.”
Ways to Protect Children's Cognitive Health
Experts believe that digital detoxification can be an effective solution to stop the brain's decay process. Research from Harvard University shows that avoiding digital devices one day a week can improve cognitive function and reduce mental fatigue. Additionally, increasing physical activity and limiting time spent in front of a screen allows the brain to rest and work more efficiently.
Expanding digital media literacy training can also help individuals develop a healthier relationship with technology. Studies conducted in the United States and Europe found that young people who received media literacy training were more conscious about their use of digital media and that symptoms of social media addiction decreased. The importance of such training is increasing day by day, especially to make young people more resistant to technology addiction.
Merve Doğru explains that families should take some important steps to control children and young people's use of digital media and points out the importance of limiting screen time first. “Parents should help their children develop self-control by setting reminder alarms. We also emphasize the importance of digital detox. “Research shows that staying away from social media for short periods of time improves mental well-being,” he says.
Bir yanıt yazın