With the announcement by the Oxford Dictionaries that the term “brain decay” was chosen as the word of the year for 2024, this term now resonates as a warning bell, alerting us to the deterioration of human mental capabilities in the face of the overwhelming wave of digital life.
This term refers to the sharp decline in mental performance, which manifests in weakened focus, diminished critical thinking, and the deterioration of problem-solving skills, all due to digital addiction and excessive use of technology. This announcement is not just a linguistic choice but a confirmation that this phenomenon has become a tangible reality threatening the future of generations.
In recent years, scientific research has shown that digital addiction can lead to radical changes in the structure of the human brain. A study published in Nature Communications in 2022 revealed that excessive exposure to fast-paced content on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat weakens the neural connections responsible for focus and deep thinking. According to the study, users who spend more than three hours a day on these platforms show a 30% reduction in short-term memory efficiency, in addition to a decline in their ability to retain and analyze information.
These findings align with my own practical experience as a visiting professor at the Brain and Human Nutrition Institute at Imperial College London. During my work in this field, our research focused on analyzing brain wave frequencies and the impact of digital content on mental activity. The studies showed that brain frequencies become imbalanced with prolonged exposure to distracting digital stimuli, leading to the deterioration of the brain’s ability to process thoughts and problems in an organized manner.
More than eight years ago, I engaged in training mental abilities by founding and managing the “Think Hub,” the first of its kind in the Middle East. At this center, our efforts focused on strengthening mental performance and stimulating creative thinking, focus, memory, and decision-making, away from the digital distractions that have become the hallmark of this age. During my work with hundreds of individuals, I noticed the fundamental difference between brains that were able to break free from the constraints of digital addiction and those negatively affected by it.
On the scientific research front, as a visiting professor at the Brain and Human Nutrition Institute at Imperial College London, our research focused on complex mental abilities and “brain physics,” a field that relies on calculating and scientifically analyzing brain wave frequencies. This research has served as a window into a deeper understanding of how the digital environment affects the human brain. The results showed that brain frequencies, which reflect mental patterns, are distorted with continuous exposure to fast digital content, such as that provided by TikTok and Snapchat. This distortion weakens the brain’s ability to focus and engage in deep understanding.
It is fascinating to reflect that the Gulf region is among the highest in the world in terms of social media usage, particularly Snapchat and TikTok. These platforms, which encourage the consumption of fast-paced, stimulating content, present a unique challenge for Gulf societies, where developmental aspirations intersect with the need to address the impact of digital addiction. The excessive use of these platforms, especially among the youth, is not just a fleeting phenomenon; it represents a long-term risk to mental capabilities and the innovation needed for the region to realize its future visions.
It is clear that digital addiction does not only rob individuals of their ability to focus but also weakens their perception of the true value of time and information. Fast digital content has become like a mental drug that consumes time without providing real benefit. Despite the awareness of many regarding the danger of this phenomenon, the solutions often remain superficial. The ironic paradox is that those who have directly contributed to the spread of brain decay are themselves discussing the phenomenon in short videos that further exacerbate it, reflecting a frustrating contradiction between the problem and the ways of addressing it. This is with all due respect to those who contribute to spreading useful and beneficial content.
However, the greatest danger lies not only in the individual impact of this addiction but in its societal implications. Distracted minds do not produce creative ideas or contribute to change. In this reality, the solution cannot lie in resisting technology itself but in redirecting its use toward enhancing critical thinking and the ability to analyze.
If we are to address this crisis, the solution starts from within the minds themselves. Awareness of the real dangers of digital addiction must be enhanced, especially among young people, with alternatives that encourage deep thinking. This cannot be achieved without an integrated effort that combines scientific research, education, and media, aimed at creating an environment that encourages the conscious and responsible use of technology.
Brain decay is not a predetermined fate, but a challenge that requires balance between technological progress and the preservation of human brain health. If we can achieve this balance, the minds facing the risk of decay today may transform into driving forces for a more conscious and creative future.
In our Arab region, statistics show that the Gulf countries are among the highest in the world in terms of social media usage. A report from We Are Social in 2023 indicates that the average daily time spent on digital platforms by individuals in the Gulf is five to six hours, compared to the global average of three hours. Snapchat and TikTok are the most popular platforms in the region, leading usage lists among the young age groups.
This digital addiction may seem like a harmless form of entertainment, but it carries long-term risks. The youth, who represent the majority of the Gulf population, are the backbone of future development projects such as Saudi Vision 2030. However, draining their minds with shallow and distracting content could weaken their ability to innovate and achieve those ambitious visions.
It is undeniable that digital technology has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, and it is impossible to turn back. However, practical solutions can be adopted to mitigate the impact of brain decay on individuals and communities.
Balancing Digital Use and Mental Activity:
Young people should be encouraged to dedicate time to activities that enhance critical and creative thinking, such as reading, meditation, and mental exercise. Many studies have shown that reducing screen time by one hour per day improves focus by up to 20%.
Promoting Purposeful Content:
Governments, media, and communities must support platforms that offer educational and inspiring content instead of focusing on fast-paced and shallow material. Initiatives that combine entertainment and knowledge can play an important role in this regard.
Increasing Awareness of Risks:
Awareness campaigns should target parents, teachers, and young people to clarify the negative effects of digital addiction and how to avoid them. It is important to build collective awareness about the importance of regulating the time spent on social media.
Brain decay is not just a linguistic term; it is a scientific reality pointing to a deep crisis facing human minds. What determines our future is not only our ability to produce technology, patents, and innovation but also how we use this technology in ways that preserve brain health and enhance its capabilities.
We are now faced with two choices: either we allow our minds to dissolve in the digital whirlwind, or we choose balance, creating stronger and more creative minds that can keep up with this fast-paced age.
And the conversation continues…
