‘Brain Rot’ Named Oxford Word of the Year as Concerns Over Junk Content Grow

The term highlights the perceived mental toll of excessive online content consumption, with studies linking it to cognitive and neurological effects.

Oxford University Press defines 'brain rot' as the deterioration of mental or intellectual state due to overconsumption of trivial online content, with usage of the term rising 230% from 2023 to 2024.
Scientific research from institutions like Harvard and Oxford links excessive consumption of junk content to reduced grey matter, shortened attention spans, and impaired cognitive functions.
Social media features such as infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven feeds exploit natural brain tendencies, creating addictive cycles of content consumption, particularly among young people.
Experts debate the severity of the issue, with some suggesting that the effects of online content consumption are exaggerated and comparable to past media panics, such as concerns over video games and television.
Psychologists recommend limiting screen time, prioritizing high-quality content, and engaging in offline activities to mitigate potential negative effects on mental health and attention spans.