JAKARTA - Excessive social media use or scrolling through social media is very bad for brain health, especially if the content consumed is often short videos.
This habit not only makes you addicted to your phone but can also change the way your brain works. This phenomenon is known as "popcorn brain."
Popcorn brain is a condition where the brain constantly seeks quick stimulation due to excessive digital consumption. The term was first coined by David Levy, a researcher at the University of Washington iSchool, in 2011.
David Levy described popcorn brain as a condition where someone is too engrossed in electronic multitasking, making their real life slower and less interesting.
"Online platforms and social media use algorithms that provide us with a non-stop stream of information, notifications, and entertainment, tailored to our interests and behaviors," said psychologist Danielle Haig, as quoted by Unilad, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
This triggers disruption of the dopamine (happiness hormone) reward system in the brain. Excessive stimulation activates dopamine pathways associated with pleasure and novelty.
"It doesn't mean the brain is damaged, but rather that its neural pathways are being rewired to meet the demands of multitasking and rapid information processing," Haig added.
If the habit of scrolling through media continues, popcorn brain can eventually trigger various cognitive impairments, including:
- Cluttered thoughts
- Feeling bored quickly
- Frequently interrupting or changing topics during conversations
- Easily distracted
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Mental fatigue
- Feeling overwhelmed
Therefore, it is recommended that everyone implement healthier screen time management practices, such as limiting online time, taking regular breaks, and avoiding the habit of mindlessly checking their phones.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
