Mindless Scrolling

Avoid overuse of social media to avoid 'brain rot'. By Dr. Harender Raj Gautam

- Dr. Harender Raj Gautam

Brain Rot' has been announced as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 by Oxford University Press. It refers to the non-professional or non-academic use of digital devices, which is causing cognitive decline. This term is commonly used to describe a deterioration in cognitive abilities and overall brain health due to mindless scrolling through nonsensical memes and low-quality content. This syndrome occurs due to excessive screen time spent on social media, video games, or television, reducing face-to-face interaction, outdoor activities, and physical exercise.

As of October 2024, there were 5.52 billion internet users worldwide, amounting to 67.5 per cent of the global population. Of this total, 5.22 billion, or 63.8 percent of the world's population, were social media users.