TikTok, a social media platform where users share short videos, is reshaping the brain’s attention span with its content consumed in seconds. Experts who examine the effects of this rapid content consumption on the brain have introduced the concept of the ‘TikTok Brain’.
“The concept of TikTok Brain refers to the distraction and decreased ability to focus observed in individuals who are constantly exposed to short, fast and high-intensity information bombardment. This situation can cause poor performance in tasks that require long-term attention as a result of the brain being constantly exposed to new and different stimuli,” said Specialist Dr. Oğuzhan Onultan from the Department of Neurology.
Oğuzhan Onultan said, “Continuously watching short videos causes the brain to get used to the rapid flow of information. This can lead to a decrease in performance in activities that require deep thinking and long-term attention.”
IT AFFECTS ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Noting that recent studies have revealed significant effects of social media use on young people, Specialist Dr. Onultan said, “Especially with the spread of short video platforms such as TikTok, a significant shortening of young people’s attention spans is observed. This can lead to a decrease in performance in activities that require deep thinking and long-term attention. These negative effects can also manifest themselves in a wide range from academic performance to interaction in social relationships.”
READING BOOKS AND CRAFTING CAN EXTEND ATTENTION SPANS
Specialist Dr. Onultan emphasized that parents and educators should monitor the social media usage of young people and encourage activities that require long-term attention, and said, “Reading books, taking nature walks, and engaging in activities such as arts and crafts can help restructure the attention span. Although the innovations brought by the digital age make our lives easier in many ways, they also bring with them new problems that we need to pay attention to. Tik Tok Brain is one of the most important of these problems and is of great importance especially for the future of the young generation. Conscious use and a balanced digital life can help overcome this problem.” (DHA)
