More young people are experiencing cognitive issues than a decade ago. A new study found self-reported focus and memory problems among 18-39-year-olds nearly doubled in the past decade, jumping from 5.1% to 9.7%. Researchers point to chronic stress, nonstop screens, and algorithm-driven distractions reshaping their attention spans. On TikTok, videos tagged #BrainRot have over 800M collective views and are filled with users joking about losing focus mid-sentence or rewatching the same five shows on repeat “because it’s easy.” While older adults report fewer issues, Gen Z says their minds “never turn off” resulting in reduced focus. Experts call it a warning sign for digital burnout; now products and campaigns that help young people slow down, unplug, or actually feel focused will stand out in the attention economy. (Futurism)
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