‘Brain rot’: Oxford’s word of the year echoes digital woes of an online generation
The term vividly captures the mental effect of continuous engagement with trivial digital content.
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It isn’t surprising that Oxford University Press has declared “brain rot” as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024. The “word of the year” aims to identify terms that most significantly reflect the cultural, social and political ethos of a given year. At a time when there is growing concern about the mental impacts of excessive digital consumption and the effects of low-value social media content on cognitive health, “brain rot” emerged as a standout in a shortlist of six.
The term, vividly illustrating the cognitive decline associated with continual engagement with trivial digital content, has resonated especially with younger people. Amid the rising popularity of “digital detoxes” – periods when individuals disconnect from digital devices to recharge mentally – “brain rot” is being used in casual conversations and scholarly discourse alike.
The selection of the term is an acknowledgement of the broadening discussion on how digital devices are shaping human cognition and social behavior. “Brain rot” characterises both the phenomena of consuming mind-numbing content and the perceived intellectual and emotional downturns linked to it.
As a therapist working in the mental health sector, I frequently encounter terms such as “brain rot”, “brain fog” and “digital fatigue” that describe the cognitive and psychological impacts of...
