Hey there, fellow Social Media Lovers! Today, let’s talk about something that’s become a ubiquitous part of our digital lives: TikTok brain. Yep, you read that right. It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s a real phenomenon that many of us might be experiencing without even realizing it. And even though it is called the TikTok brain, it doesn´t mean that this is only affecting people who spend a lot of time on TikTok. You could also call it simply the Social media brain, but that is probably way less catchy than the TikTok brain.
What is a TikTok brain?
So, what exactly is a TikTok brain? Well, it’s not a medical condition per se, but rather a term that describes the mental effects of spending too much time scrolling through social media, particularly platforms like TikTok. You know how it goes: you open the app for a quick laugh or some entertainment, and before you know it, hours have flown by, and you’ve watched an endless stream of videos ranging from hilarious to downright bizarre.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying some viral videos or connecting with friends online. But when social media usage starts to consume a significant chunk of your day, it can start to take a toll on your brain. And spending too many hours is the only problem. Just using it and watching super short videos every single time, decreases your attention span, which makes it harder for you to focus on one thing for a longer time.
How do you know if you have a TikTok brain?
One of the main cons of spending excessive time on social media is the impact it can have on your mental health. Studies have shown that heavy social media use is associated with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Constantly comparing ourselves to others’ curated highlight reels can also lead to a negative self-image and decreased self-esteem.
Moreover, the endless scrolling and constant dopamine hits from likes and comments can wreak havoc on our attention spans. We become accustomed to quick, bite-sized content, making it harder to concentrate on tasks that require deeper focus and sustained attention. You are going to be less focused and less patient. You want everything fast and don’t want to wait.
How to fix your TikTok Brain?
I am going to be honest and say that I am also experiencing this phenomenon. I have Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter and it is so easy to consume content immediately. You don’t have to wait and because all of those videos are short, I don’t have the patience to watch a video longer than 30 seconds. If I am looking for some information about a topic and I watch a video about it, I want answers immediately. I don’t want to watch a 10-minute video. So yeah, you could say I am also experiencing the TikTok brain, but I am trying to fix it and I want to give you my tips.
- Set Boundaries: Establish specific times of day for social media use and stick to them. Consider using apps or built-in phone features that allow you to set limits on your screen time. For example, I give myself 15 minutes to socialize on social media, which is more than enough. I take time to react to comments and to comment on other photos. After 15 minutes I put my phone away.
- Take Breaks: Incorporate regular breaks from social media into your daily routine. Use this time to engage in offline activities like reading, exercising, or spending time with loved ones. Or maybe you could take longer breaks, maybe you want to do a detox for a day/weekend or even a week.
- Practice Mindfulness: Be mindful of your social media usage and how it makes you feel. If you notice yourself starting to feel anxious or overwhelmed, take a step back and reassess your priorities. Mindfulness can also mean you take time to meditate and practice slow-living, which will increase your patience and focus.
- Engage Intentionally: Instead of mindlessly scrolling, try to engage more intentionally with the content you consume. Follow accounts that inspire and educate you, and limit exposure to content that leaves you feeling drained or inadequate. Don’t scroll on your social media platforms, because you’re bored. If you’re bored, find something else to focus on.
- Connect Offline: Make an effort to cultivate real-life connections with friends and family. Plan outings, game nights, or simply catch up over a cup of coffee. Nothing beats genuine human interaction. Yeah, social media can be a way to meet new people, but real-life relationships are good for your mental health.
- Reading: One thing that is helping me a lot is to read more instead of scrolling. So instead of scrolling on my phone when I come home from work, I read. This is also improving my focus. At first, I couldn’t focus for very long. While I was reading, I had to pick up my phone several times just to check if I had new messages or notifications. But I can already tell that my brain is changing because I can now easily read for a very long time without checking my phone.
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash