Brain and Nerve Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Aşkın Esen Hastürk said that “brain rot”, which refers to the unnecessary and entertaining use of social media, affects all age groups. Oxford Dictionary chose “brain rot” as the word of the year among 6 candidate words with the participation of more than 37 thousand people.
Prof. Dr. Hastürk talked about “brain rot”, which refers to the use of social media for fun and unnecessary use, as well as endlessly scrolling and watching brain-numbing content.
Emphasizing that the concept of “brain rot” should not be perceived as a frightening expression when first heard, and that it is only a definition, Hastürk said, “After chronic use of social media, the deterioration of a person’s intellectual functions, memory disorders, detachment from social life and, accordingly, the development of a depressive state with isolation.” brought this definition to the fore.” he said.
THE MAIN SYMPTOM IS CONSTANTLY LIVING ON YOUR PHONE
Hastürk pointed out that as a result of the misuse of social media, the brain is filled with garbage, especially millions of videos, and is damaged, and shared the following information:
“Brain rot is the popular name for a general condition that develops due to the decline of intellectual functions and human relations as a result of abnormal use of social media together with constant scrolling. Although this is not a diagnosis, some behaviors are symptomatic of ‘brain rot’. In fact, this may be the case in most of us. For example, Living on the phone all the time, not taking your eyes off the phone, constantly checking notifications, prioritizing social media over our human and social relationships and hobbies are actually symptoms of ‘brain rot’ when the indispensability of social media is considered. “It is seen in many people.”
IT NEGATIVELY AFFECTS PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
Prof. Dr. Hastürk stated that “brain decay” affects all age groups and said:
“Especially since the Covid-19 period, it has affected the child and adolescent age group more. This has highlighted the anxiety of societies about the future. Studies conducted in the USA in 2023 showed that social media and phone addiction, especially in the 6-14 age group, before and after the pandemic. It has been determined that the online addiction of adolescents has increased from 40 percent to 70 percent, and this is a really important point. The affected age group is adolescents. Of course, adolescence is an important period in terms of character development.”
Emphasizing that Western societies have started to take some precautions to minimize the effects of “brain rot”, Hastürk said, “There are abnormally unreal lives and necessary and unnecessary videos on social media. Social relations are put on the back burner during adolescence, and adolescent children spend too much time in front of the screen.” “It highlights the inability to maintain peer relationships and the failure to establish the social and emotional self that needs to be learned during adolescence.” he said.
LIMITS MAY BE IMPOSED ON PHONE USE
Hastürk called on families to prevent adolescent children’s screen and phone addiction and made the following recommendations:
“Some measures should be seriously discussed to prevent screen and phone addiction. For example, setting a 16-year age limit for mobile phone use, having the phone taken away by families, setting screen time and usage limits, and not using the internet, especially during family meals, chatting with friends, and sleeping time other than homework or schoolwork.” Closing screens is considered serious measures. It is important for adults to be role models against ‘brain rot.’ In order to be an example, we need to have a balanced screen usage mode and prioritize hobbies and human relationships in our living spaces. Device-free spaces and times need to be created.”
AA