Joanne Hunter, a single mother, vividly remembers the moment she realized her son’s online activities were spiraling out of control. An Irish expat who raised her son in Madrid before relocating to Dubai, Joanne describes him as a bright, talented boy.
“He was a straight-A student, loved playing the drums in his school band, and excelled in everything,” she recalls. But when he received his first smartphone at the age of ten, the perfect picture began to change.
What started as innocent online curiosity quickly became a nightmare. Joanne discovered disturbing images on his Snapchat account—sent by someone pretending to be a young girl but who turned out to be an adult man. “I was horrified. The thought of my trusting, young child being exposed to such dangers broke me,” she says.
The challenges didn’t end there. Online gaming exposed her son to strangers who manipulated him, resulting in aggressive behavior at home and repeated demands for money.
“He became violent, couldn’t sleep, and even locked himself in the bathroom one day. I had to call the police,” she shares. Despite therapy and counseling, the problems escalated, forcing Joanne to send him to a boarding school in Ireland. “At one point, I even considered rehab. It felt like a hopeless situation.”
The Bigger Picture: Understanding “Brain Rot”
Joanne’s story is part of a growing concern about the effects of excessive screen time and digital addiction. This phenomenon has been dubbed “brain rot,” a term recently named Oxford University’s Word of the Year for 2024. It describes the mental and emotional strain caused by overexposure to fast-paced digital content, particularly through social media.
What Is Brain Rot?
Psychologists describe brain rot as the cognitive and emotional exhaustion that comes from consuming shallow, endless content online. Marisa Peer, a globally renowned therapist, compares it to binging on junk food. “It’s like feeding your brain empty calories—there’s no real nourishment. Over time, it leaves you distracted, unmotivated, and mentally drained,” she explains.
Dr. Adhishri Yadav, a clinical psychologist, likens it to leaving too many tabs open on a computer. “Your brain becomes overstimulated, leading to exhaustion and confusion. O
ver time, the neurotransmitters responsible for focus and happiness, like dopamine, get depleted,” she says. Dr. Olga Aksenova, a corporate psychologist, adds that constant digital engagement overwhelms the brain’s decision-making and problem-solving abilities. “The frontal lobe, which handles critical thinking, gets overloaded, limiting our ability to focus or reflect deeply,” she explains.
Social Media and Its Role in Brain Rot
Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts are significant contributors to brain rot. Their algorithms are designed to keep users hooked by triggering dopamine releases with every like, comment, or new post. “Over time, this reliance on instant gratification rewires the brain, making it harder to focus on deeper, more meaningful tasks,” says Dr. Aksenova.
Marisa Peer adds that heavy social media use trains the brain to crave constant stimulation. “It’s like flipping through TV channels every few seconds—you’re bombarded with information but retain none of it. Over time, this reduces patience for activities that require sustained attention, like reading a book or having a meaningful conversation,” she explains.
Neurologist Dr. Noushin Mehrbod warns that this multitasking habit can shrink gray matter in the brain and reduce neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and learn. “Endless scrolling creates a cycle of dependency, making it harder to engage deeply with the real world,” he says.
Emotional Impact on Younger Generations
For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are growing up with screens in their hands, the impact is even more concerning. Marisa Peer explains, “Their brains are still developing, and this constant exposure is training them to avoid deep thinking. It’s not their fault—it’s the environment they’ve been born into.”
Psychologists report symptoms of brain rot like reduced attention spans, emotional instability, and social withdrawal. “People feel bored, groggy, and disconnected from their relationships,” says Dr. Yadav. Dr. Kawale adds, “It’s not just about productivity—it’s about losing the ability to think and connect meaningfully.”
Reclaiming Mental Wellness
The effects of brain rot, while alarming, are not irreversible. Dr. Aksenova emphasizes that the brain’s plasticity allows it to heal. “Activities like exercise, creative hobbies, and face-to-face interactions can rewire the brain’s reward systems,” she says. The key, however, is consistency.
Marisa Peer advises starting small. “Set aside 15 minutes daily for screen-free activities like journaling, walking, or meditating. Gradually increase this time to retrain your brain to engage meaningfully,” she suggests.
The Role of Parents and Educators
Parents and educators play a crucial role in addressing brain rot. Dr. Aksenova highlights the importance of teaching media literacy and engaging children in non-digital activities. “Children need to understand the impact of what they consume online and develop critical thinking skills,” she says.
Creating screen-free zones at home and modeling healthy tech habits can also make a difference. “It’s not just about limiting screen time; it’s about showing kids that there’s a fulfilling world beyond their screens,” adds Peer.
Moving Forward
As digital technologies like AI and the metaverse continue to evolve, experts warn that these innovations could either exacerbate or alleviate brain rot. “If used responsibly, they could revolutionize learning and creativity. But without mindful design, they risk deepening our dependency on overstimulation,” says Dr. Kawale.
The growing cognitive and emotional toll of our hyperconnected world is undeniable. But as Marisa Peer concludes, “Brain rot may define today’s challenges, but it doesn’t have to define the future. We can reclaim our mental clarity and well-being—it all begins with a choice.”
