Brain decay: New threat of digital age

The use of digital media is rapidly increasing among young people, leading to cognitive decline and mental fatigue. According to researchers at Boston Children's Hospital in the U.S., this process is referred to as 'Problematic Interactive Media Use' and negatively affects the attention, memory, and cognitive performance of young people. Research shows that excessive social media use leads to distraction, memory loss, and a decline in academic performance. Merve Doğru, a neuropsychologist from the University of Health Sciences, states that this situation is associated with a process referred to as 'brain decay.' Excessive use of social media shortens the attention spans of young people and disrupts the brain's natural rest cycle. Research conducted at Oxford University in 2024 reveals that continuous exposure of the brain to stimuli causes symptoms of distraction, mental fatigue, and cognitive decline. Digital media addiction not only weakens social relationships but also increases rates of loneliness and depression. In young people, this situation triggers social isolation and negatively affects cognitive development. Another study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) indicates that constant screen usage slows down brain functions. This not only leads to cognitive decline but also results in a decrease in empathy among young people. Experts state that excessive exposure to digital stimuli disconnects individuals from their surroundings and makes it difficult for them to adapt to the real world. Excessive use of digital media is associated with 'brain decay,' which causes cognitive decline. According to neuropsychologist Merve Doğru, excessive technology use creates acute and long-term changes in attention and memory. ''It is entertaining to spend most of your time browsing the virtual world by watching funny videos, but if that's all you're doing, it means your brain isn't getting the exercise it needs. Let's think about it this way: your brain is a muscle, and like all other muscles, it needs to be challenged to stay strong. If you constantly provide your brain with the same low-effort content, it's not getting the exercise it needs to stay sharp, and thus decay begins.'' Doğru states that the constant behavior of scrolling on screens also disrupts the brain's capacity to encode and store information: ''The behavior of continuously scrolling on screens, when done repeatedly, can negatively affect an individual's mental abilities by disrupting the brain's capacity to encode and store information. Additionally, there can also be a weakening in executive function skills such as planning, organization, problem-solving, decision-making, and working memory.'' The intense use of digital media among young people increasingly leads to issues such as reduced attention spans and cognitive fatigue. The role of social media platforms in this process is quite evident. Doğru discusses 'doomscrolling' (immersing oneself in a stream of bad news) as a significant example from the perspective of emotional and mental health. Such behaviors negatively affect the brain's reward system. 'Uncontrolled digital media use begins to decrease an individual's mental and emotional well-being. For instance, activities like doomscrolling affect the brain's reward system because people tend to prioritize and remember negative information more than positive information. As a result, encountering sad news leads to searching for even more demoralizing information. A study found that individuals who consume an excessive amount of negative news have poorer mental and even physical health.' Experts suggest that a digital detox could be an effective solution to stop the process of brain decay. Research conducted by Harvard University shows that staying away from digital devices for one day a week can enhance cognitive functions and reduce mental fatigue. Additionally, increasing physical activity and limiting the time spent in front of screens allows the brain to rest and function more efficiently. Merve Doğru emphasizes that families need to take several important steps to manage children's and adolescents' use of digital media, highlighting the importance of limiting screen time. ''Parents should set reminder alarms to help their children develop self-control. We also emphasize the importance of digital detox. Research shows that taking a short break from social media enhances mental well-being,'' she says.