Gen Z's Battle Against Digital Overload

The Rise of "Brain Rot"

Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is combating what they call "brain rot"—a mental fog and lack of motivation from endless scrolling on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

• Average daily usage: Over 6 hours on these apps.
• Irony: The same platforms causing brain rot are now prompting young people to take better care of their minds.

The Impact of Excessive Social Media Use

Experts warn that excessive social media use can lead to:

• Cognitive decline
• Lower recall and retention
• Reduced brain function
• Memory loss

A 2025 study found that excessive use of AI and social media can cause these issues, especially in younger generations.

Gen Z's Fightback

Gen Z is fighting back by creating anti-brain rot tutorials and mind maintenance videos on TikTok.

• Elizabeth Jean, a TikTok creator, has created a monthly "curriculum" for herself, complete with:
• Books to read
• Classes to enroll in
• Recipes to perfect
• Her videos have resonated with a Gen Z audience looking for ways to combat brain rot.
• The hashtag 'curriculum' now boasts over 90,000 videos posted by people following her monthly guides or creating their own.

Offline Spaces

It's not just online where Gen Z is taking a stand. Tech-free spaces are popping up around the world:

• Hush Harbor in the US
• The Offline Club in Europe

These spaces offer a break from the constant distraction of phones and encourage social engagement, which experts say is one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy.

The Benefits of Offline Activities

Recent studies show that different forms of mental activity, like playing games, can improve the function of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that manages:

• Thinking
• Problem-solving
• Concentration

Investing time in offline activities like:

• Reading a book
• Listening to music
• Writing in a journal

is linked to:

• Increased cognitive flexibility
• Improved computational thinking skills

Expert Recommendations

Experts recommend:

• Scheduling intentional social media breaks
• Setting a timer to remind you to step away from your device, even for a short while.