Knowing Brain Rot, Brain Disposal Due To Low Quality Content Consumption On Social Media

JAKARTA Oxford University Press announced the word brain rot as Word of the Year 2024. The term rat brain received significant attention this year considering the impact of social media on individuals is getting more and more concerning.

We may still remember the trend ofskibi in toilets that have been popular some time ago. The short 11-second video on YouTube has been viewed more than 215 million times, and produces hundreds of millions of references on TikTok and other social media.

Along with the emergence of trends of toilet skibidies, and other short videos or calledshort on YouTube, the term rotmakin brain is often used. So it is appropriate to be announced by Oxford as the most popular word this year.

The word was originally popular on social media among Generation Z communities and the Alpha generation but is now used as a way to describe low-quality and low-value content in social metries.

Brain rotuation of the brain is defined as a deterioration in a person's mental or intellectual condition, especially seen as a result of excessive consumption of online content, which is considered trivial or not challenging. Unfortunately, few people realize how technology has damaged our brains.

The impact of excessive use of social media has often been expressed by various groups, ranging from the physical health and mental health perspectives. Recently, the term rotmakin brain received significant attention.

This is reflected in concerns about the impact of consuming low-quality online content in excess, especially on social media, as quoted by BBC. In fact, the frequency of using this term has increased by 230 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Oxford University psychologist and Professor Andrew Przybylski said the popularity of the word was a "symptom of the times we are living today". The term ROT brain was long before the creation of the internet, when Henry David Thoreau wrote this term in his book entitled totaling 1854.

He criticized the public's tendency to undermine the value of complex ideas and how this became part of a general decline in mental and intellectual efforts.

But if it is associated with the impact of the internet and social media, the brain decay brain was forecast 20 years ago when experts studied the impact of a new discovery called email, especially the impact of a relentless barrage of information on the brains of participants.

The result? The continuous overburden of cognitive load has a more negative impact than consuming marijuana, and the participant's IQ decreases by an average of 10 points.

And, this happened before smartphones brought the internet to our finger, which resulted in average British adults now spending at least four hours a day online. Generation Z men spend 5.5 hours a day online, while women of the same generation 6.5 hours.

In recent years, many academic research from various institutions including Harvard, University of Oxford, and King's College London have found evidence that the internet is shrinking the brain gray matter', shortening the range of attention, weakening memory, and distorting our cognitive processes.

Gray matter in the brain allows control of movement, memory, and emotions. The main material consists of a neural cell body, which processes and releases information.

This decline is not limited to certain age groups. Brain damage due to the use of social media can affect children and adults, although the causes and symptoms can be different.

Children who experience disorders due to the rot brain appear from reduced attention, difficulty concentrating on work, and poor academic achievements.

Meanwhile, brain damage experienced by adults is characterized by easy forgetting, low motivation, irritability, and too dependent on devices for entertainment.

Clinical psychologist from Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai Narendra Kinger explained that excessive screen viewing time is one of the biggest causes of brain damage.

"Overconsumption of trivial matter reduces the range of attention and limits critical thinking," said Kinger.

In addition to the endless use of social media and internet scrolling, other things that cause brain damage include lack of physical activity, lack of sleep, and malnutrition. Without adequate rest and a balanced diet with the intake of many brain-enhancing nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, cognitive functions can decrease over time.

An active lifestyle worsens the problem because physical activity is very important to maintain brain and mental health. For this reason, Kinger recommends parents set clear screen time limits and encourage outdoor play to stimulate creativity and reduce children's stress.

Kinger also highlighted the importance of other hobbies such as reading, music, and art. These activities can help children develop critical focus and thinking skills.

For adults, fighting brain damage means finding a balance between digital consumption and activity challenges the mind. According to Kinger, one needs to do games that can stimulate the mind such as solving puzzles, or having deep and meaningful conversations.

"Understanding brain damage is the first step to prevent it," said Kinger.

"Your brain is your most valuable asset. Protect it carefully, because its health determines the quality of your life," he concluded.