While many people may not immediately recognize the word that Oxford University Press chose as its Word of the Year, once you learn the definition, you will likely be all too familiar with it. “Brain rot” takes the coveted spot as the term that best describes the conversations and moods that shaped 2024. This phrase refers to the deterioration of a person’s intellectual state due to the overconsumption of trivial online material.
When parents think about their teenagers’ internet usage, scrolling through viral videos and social media often comes to mind. Many adults also fall into this trap, spending much more time viewing online content than originally intended. While brain rot may seem like a silly phrase that simply describes a bad habit, technology is affecting our brains more than we realize, and it’s not exactly positive either.
What Is Brain Rot?
Brain rot is a term for the emotional and cognitive issues that arise when people spend too much time online. Teens and social media use tend to be hot-button topics when discussing brain rot, but anyone can fall prey to the perils of too much screen time.
Brain rot may not sound like a big deal to most people unfamiliar with the term. However, researchers have found a decrease in gray matter, shortened attention span, distorted cognitive processes and a weakened memory among those who spend excessive time online. These findings are especially disconcerting for preteens and teenagers who spend countless hours scrolling the internet.
Another recently coined phrase related to brain rot is “doomscrolling,” which refers to continuously consuming negative social media content and news for a substantial period of time. While doomscrolling often starts as a meaningful search for more information on a current event, it can quickly get out of hand as you or your teen becomes compelled to continuously scour the web for updates.
While doomscrolling is harmful for adults, the effects are even more consequential for teens and adolescents whose brains are still growing. Doomscrolling not only can give teens a warped worldview, but it can expose them to inappropriate content and even cause harm to their mental health.
The Effects of Brain Rot and Doomscrolling on Teenage Mental Health
One of the primary concerns among parents, teachers and professionals is the apparent link between social media use and mental health among young adults and teenagers. A review published in the International Review of Psychiatry sought to determine whether there’s a link between social media usage and depression in adolescents. The researchers concluded that the majority of articles found a positive association between how frequently an adolescent is on social media and self-reported feelings of depression and even suicidality. While other factors such as personal vulnerabilities, family support and environmental factors must be considered, the findings of a potential link between teenage depression due to social media are still alarming and enough to give any parent pause.
What You Can Do To Help Your Child Stop Doomscrolling
If your teen is always glued to their phone and endlessly scrolling through social media feeds, there’s a good chance they’re doomscrolling. However, there are practical strategies any parent can use to help their teen create a healthier balance with technology and social media and break free from this harmful cycle.
1. Set Healthy Boundaries Around Screen Time
Although well-intentioned parents may limit their child’s screen time when they first get a phone or tablet, it often quickly spirals out of control. It’s important that all parents establish clear boundaries with their children over what is an acceptable amount of time using social media. Instead of approaching your children with a screen time amount that’s set in stone, consider sitting down and working together to decide what works. By approaching this issue in a collaborative manner, you can help your teen develop their ability to self-regulate and keep doomscrolling behaviors in check.
2. Help Your Teen Create a More Positive Online Environment
Social media does not always have to be a constant source of negativity. You can help your teen create a more positive internet environment by showing them how to follow accounts highlighting optimistic and balanced content. There are accounts dedicated to bringing joy and inspiration that can be sources they can turn to for uplifting posts that will make them feel better about themselves and the world around them. Also, be sure to talk to your children about how social media algorithms work and encourage critical thinking when viewing internet content. Remind your teens that they have control over their social media feeds and that by remaining mindful of the content they interact with, they can create a more positive internet and social media experience.
3. Encourage Offline Interests and Activities
It’s important to help your children and teens find a balance between online and offline interests. Encourage your kids to check out activities that don’t involve their devices. Sports, art, volunteering, music and family outings can all be great ways to explore different hobbies while helping them break free from the doomscrolling habit. These activities can also help your teens discover new passions and build a well-rounded life outside of the internet.
4. Be a Good Technology Role Model
ARemember, our kids often learn more from our own actions than what we tell them to do. You can’t expect your teen to develop healthy social media and internet habits if you’re scrolling endlessly on your phone after work on the sofa. If you want your teen to create a more balanced life with their social media habits, model these behaviors yourself. Set limits on your own screen time, and make sure to stick to them. You can also consider setting guidelines for your entire family regarding social media and phone use, such as preventing devices from being used during dinner or enacting “phone-free” hours during school nights.
The link between spending too much time on social media and mental health consequences among teens is concerning. However, by communicating with your children and working together, you can reduce the negative impact that too much screen time can have while building a healthier and more digitally balanced environment.
