In this digital age, social media and multitasking are probably the two things which keep you afloat. If you cut yourself off from all kinds of social media platforms then you fail to stay up to date with the current age. It is as if you are living under a rock. But, being too much active on social media could also lead to a medical state known as 'Popcorn Brain'. As social media picked its pace, it required us to be great multitaskers because we can't just stay focused on one thing for life. While doing this, we got exposed to social media, screen time and whatnot.
Technology has taken a huge toll on our brain and it might be affecting the way our brain works. From shortening our attention span, reducing our ability to focus deeply and raising our stress levels beyond our control, screens and gadgets have been doing much more damage than what we see. Recently, the term 'Popcorn Brain' has gained popularity among the Gen-Z. In very simpler words, it refers to the impact of excessive use of social media and constant multi-tasking which has fragmented our mental state and increased stress and anxiety. Notably, Popcorn Brain is not a medical term rather it is a term which the youngsters are using nowadays. It is also not a diagnosable medical condition.
According to Dr Kamil Atta, a psychiatrist at Plainview Hospital in New York, social media is a major contributing factor to the declining attention span. Atta told Fox 4, "The experience is extremely addictive, more addictive than any other activity because you have these small amounts of dopamine being stimulated on a very frequent basis, and to stop the pattern is extremely difficult."
How Social Media & Screentime Become Major Contributing Factor
Dr Rimpa Sarkar, Director at Sentier Mind, said, “Notifications from social media platforms offer instant gratification, reinforcing the brain’s tendency to seek pleasure. This constant stimulation conditions our brains to adapt to the rapid and continuous flow of information," Indian Express reported.
Dr Kersi Chavda, consultant psychiatrist at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mahim, said that this continual need for attention and frequent shifts between tasks might potentially lead to a feeling of mental restlessness or the brain ‘jumping around’. He added, “This makes it difficult to maintain focus on any single task for an extended duration."
According to an Indian Express report, Pratibha Singh Chouhan, a clinical psychologist, said that social media is designed with such an alluring interface that it keeps the user hooked. She added, “Social media websites use algorithms to deliver a constant flow of information, notifications, and entertainment, all customised to suit our interests.”