Brain Rot” Becomes Oxford Word of the Year Amid Growing Social Media Concerns

Islamabad:Are you spending hours mindlessly scrolling through Instagram Reels and TikTok? If so, you might be falling victim to “brain rot,” a term that has been selected as the “Word of the Year” by Oxford University Press for 2023.

“Brain rot” refers to the mental and cognitive decline caused by excessive consumption of low-quality or trivial online content, particularly on social media platforms. This term has gained significant traction, with its usage rising by 230% between 2023 and 2024. It has now overtaken other popular phrases like “demor,” “romanticizing,” and “dynamic pricing” on the Oxford shortlist.

Dr. Andrew Przybylski, a psychologist and professor at Oxford University, believes that the popularity of this term reflects the current moment we are living in. He suggests that “brain rot” is a symptom of the digital age, where mind-numbing content is flooding our online spaces.

### What is “Brain Rot”?
“Brain rot” is described as a person’s mental or intellectual state being distorted due to an overconsumption of low-effort, unchallenging content. It highlights the impact of the constant exposure to superficial or easily digestible material, which may dull cognitive engagement and creativity.

The term “brain rot” was first used by Henry David Thoreau in 1854, long before the creation of the internet. In his book *Walden*, Thoreau criticized society’s tendency to simplify complex thoughts, which he believed contributed to a general decline in intellectual and mental effort. He even questioned why society was so focused on curing physical ailments like rotting potatoes while ignoring the far-reaching impact of “brain rot.”

Initially popularized among Generation Z and Alpha communities, the term “brain rot” has now entered the mainstream to describe the low-quality content commonly found on social media. It is used to capture the growing dissatisfaction with the trivial, mindless content that dominates our digital lives.

### Expert Opinion
According to Professor Przybylski, there is no actual scientific evidence of “brain rot” as a physical condition. Instead, he explains that the term captures our collective disillusionment with the online world. It’s a way for people to express their frustrations with the overwhelming and often shallow nature of digital content.

Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, commented that looking at Oxford’s Word of the Year over the past two decades, it’s clear that society’s increasing immersion in virtual life has shaped the way we communicate. He pointed out that terms like “rizz” (which won last year) demonstrate how rapidly language evolves and spreads within online communities.

The term “brain rot” sheds light on one of the perceived dangers of virtual life and offers a reflection on how we are spending our free time. It emphasizes the need for mindfulness in our online consumption, encouraging a shift towards more meaningful, engaging content.

As social media culture continues to shape our daily lives, the rise of terms like “brain rot” serves as a reminder of the mental toll that excessive and low-quality digital content can take on our well-being.