-Vachi Vidyarthi (Class of 2023, IBS Hyderabad)
In a world where we have instant access to practically any piece of information, we must ask ourselves a critical question: Is information technology degrading our minds?
Facebook came into being in 2004 and started distributing content in a world where millions of texts are sent every second. Every day, we are exposed to an incredible amount of information: In 2021, we will be exposed to five times as much information as we were in 1986. In today’s digital environment, our attention spans have shrunk to roughly eight seconds and so we’ve learned that the best way to consume is to skim. The brain circuits that integrate emotional processing and attention are harmed by excessive use of technology. The NYT defines Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) as “The mix of worry, inadequacy, and annoyance that can flare up when skimming social media.”
Phantom Vibration Syndrome
Phantom Vibration Syndrome is the sense of one’s phone vibrating or ringing when it isn’t; it’s classified as a tactile hallucination because the brain perceives a sensation that isn’t there. It is detected by the majority of mobile users. Our brain has become accustomed to a “popping,” fast-paced stream of information as a result of constant electronic stimulation.
The Goldfish Effect
Humans are notoriously forgetful; 25 percent of teenagers forget important details about their close friends and relatives. 7 percent of people forget their birthday on occasion, and this number rises each week. Furthermore, we are easily distracted! An average office worker checks their email inbox 30 times per hour and picks up their phone over 1,500 times each week, for a total of 3 hours and 16 minutes per day.
According to studies, the typical page visit lasts less than a minute, and people frequently exit online pages in 10-20 seconds. Moreover, when both video and text are accessible, 59 percent of senior executives would rather watch a video than reading text.
Raise your hand if you relate to one or more of these scenarios.
- When you walk into a room, you quickly forget why you came there.
- After ten minutes, you’re sitting in the corner of the bed, engrossed in a Whatsapp conversation.
- You misplace your keys later that day and lose your line of thought in a conversation with a co-worker.
- You sit down to watch a movie that evening, only to lose interest halfway through and begin mindlessly browsing through Instagram.
There are probably more than a few hands raised at this time. So, what exactly is this phenomenon that appears to be taking over our heads?
Our brains have started to mimic the internet browsers we use regularly. We cut one idea short and open a new one, much like we can always open multiple tabs in our browser. Social media have essentially left the human mind with an attention span comparable to that of a goldfish, dubbed “The Goldfish Effect”.
COVID-19 and Attention
As the COVID-19 epidemic tightens its grip, it’s a problem that’s undoubtedly gotten worse in recent months. The quickly shifting news cycle has made individuals more reliant on their mobiles than ever before, whether it’s to stay informed, or communicate with loved ones.
While it may appear that we are completing numerous tasks simultaneously, what is occurring is that a small portion of one activity is completed, followed by a small portion of another task, and so on. However, everything takes a lot longer to finish since we have to account for the time it takes to switch back and forth between tasks, as well as the time it takes to refocus each time. The issue with excessive use is that when you return to your world, it may not provide you with the same level or frequency of fulfilment, and real-life can feel a little monotonous.
How to handle the goldfish effect
Without a doubt, the goldfish effect is a threat that researchers say we should avoid. Despite the drawbacks it causes, it is possible to work around them. We can do so by applying one of the three strategies listed below:
1. The no-phones-at-dinner-table regulation.
2. During leisure time, switching from a laptop to a book.
3. Limited access to tasks for just a defined amount of time.
Conclusion
We strengthen the muscles of our attention system by training the brain to stay in the present moment for longer and longer periods and gently tugging it back when it wanders off. This will have widespread, favourable consequences on general brain functioning because of the strong link between the attention system and many of our other cognitive skills.
A shorter attention span can lead to a variety of negative consequences. When one’s attention span is shortened, empathy suffers. The big picture is lost, and propaganda is readily carried out. Misinformation and even toxic extremism have been amplified as a result. There has been a slew of recent papers claiming that social media has exacerbated political polarisation. It’s no wonder that social media users can’t seem to focus on a topic long enough before getting distracted. Although the brain may perceive two stimuli in parallel timelines, we term it media multitasking, the truth is that it inhibits our ability to respond or process. Although social media has numerous advantages, it is a good idea to check in on how it impacts you on a regular basis.
Now pat yourself on the back for focusing long enough to finish this article.
References
https://www.mytutor.co.uk/blog/parents/educational-advice/attention-span-social-media/
https://guardian.ng/life/the-goldfish-effect-social-media-users-and-short-attention-span/
v2nightingale
Quite relatable!