The concern that young people have shorter attention spans than previous generations has been brewing for years. For decades the older generations have criticised the Gen-Zs for being unable to concentrate or focus for long periods.
They blame the internet and mobile devices for changing the way young people think and process information. But are the concerns valid? And what are the long-term implications for future generations? In this article, Erica Brownson, we explores 10 major reasons why today’s youth may have shorter attention span, and what it means for the future.
(1) OVERSTIMULATION FROM SCREENS AND TECHNOLOGY
The constant flow of information and images from screens and devices can be like drinking from a firehose. It can overwhelm the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex in the brain is responsible for executive functions, such as planning, decision-making, and attention.
Furthermore, The constant stream of short, dopamine-triggering (pleasure) content on social media can train the brain to crave quick hits of information instead of engaging in more sustained, deep focus.
Therefore the over-concentration of the youths on their devices eventually leads to overstimulation of the brain, which can impair the prefrontal cortex and make it difficult to focus on a task for a long period. However, to avoid this, it is important to take breaks from screens and devices to give our brains a chance to rest and recharge.
(2) DIGITAL OVERLOAD
Digital overload refers to the stress and cognitive strain that can occur from spending too much time on screens and devices. The endless stream of information and the constant demands for our attention on the internet make it difficult to focus on any one thing which leads to mental fatigue and burnout. This can impact our productivity, our sleep quality, and our ability to focus. In addition, the blue light emitted by screens can disrupt our circadian rhythm(internal body clock that regulates our sleep patterns) and make it harder to fall asleep at night. This can further worsen the effects of digital overload.
(3) EASY ACCESS TO GRATIFICATION
The concept of “easy access to instant gratification” refers to the fact that we can now get what we want when we want it, with just a few taps on a screen. This instant gratification can be addictive and lead to problems with patience and self-control. We may become accustomed to getting what we want right away, which can make it difficult to wait for something that takes more time or effort.
In other words, we may start to expect everything to be available to us immediately, which can make it hard to deal with situations that require patience and persistence.
(4) “FEAR OF MISSING OUT” (FOMO)
This is a term that describes the anxiety or stress that comes from the feeling that we’re missing out on something important or exciting that other people are experiencing. This is often fueled by social media, where we can see what others are doing and compare our own lives to theirs. FOMO can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as well as a need to constantly check our phones or social media feeds to make sure we’re not missing out on anything.
This shortens the attention span of youths because they want to quickly see the next trendy things all at once which greatly deflates their concentration and focus status.
(5) LACK OF PATIENCE
A lack of patience refers to the inability to tolerate waiting or dealing with situations that take time or effort. We have previously mentioned the factors that result in lack of patience e.g. increase in dopamine and easy access to gratification. Now what does lack of patience do to these Gen-zs, someone who lacks patience may get frustrated or angry when they have to wait for something or when they don’t get what they want immediately.
A lack of patience can make it difficult to cope with life’s challenges and may lead to impulsive or reactive behavior.
A lack of patience makes it impossible for these young ones to stay focused and consistent in what they are doing. Once the results are not near-sight, they are ready to give up or go in search of “fast ‘n’ sharp” means to make money or fame. This alone diminishes their productivity status from 70% to 10% or less.
(6) LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Lack of physical activity refers to the fact that many young people today are not getting enough exercise or movement in their daily lives. This can be due to several factors, such as spending too much time sitting at a desk or in front of a screen, oversleeping, and laziness at work.
Oversleeping has been linked to several negative effects on productivity and attention span. When we sleep too much, we can become groggy and lack energy. This can make it difficult to concentrate and can lead to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. In addition, oversleeping has been linked to increased levels of depression and anxiety, which can also make it hard to focus.
Additionally, oversleeping can throw off our body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep at night. It’s important to get enough sleep, but not too overly. The distraction culture refers to the fact that many of us are constantly bombarded with distractions that take our attention away from the task at hand. This can be things like notifications, emails, or other interruptions
(7) DECREASED QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
This refers to the fact that the increasing use of technology in education while having some benefits, may also have some negative effects. For example, it can be harder to focus and retain information when reading from a screen rather than from a physical book.
In addition, students may become less skilled at taking notes or performing complex problem-solving tasks when they’re used to relying on technology to do these things for them.
In addition to a decreased quality of education, the increasing use of technology and the internet has also been linked to a decreased use of critical thinking skills. With the advent of apps and technology that can do many things for us, such as giving us answers without requiring any work or thought on our part, it’s becoming easier to take shortcuts rather than engage in deep thought and analysis. This can harm our ability to reason, evaluate information, and form original ideas.
For more information on this, check out our story on 10 AI apps that students rely on.
(8) DECREASED THINKING ABILITY
This refers to the idea that we may be less able to analyze and evaluate information when we’re constantly bombarded with distractions and information overload. When we have to process so much information, we may not be able to think critically about what we’re reading or hearing. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking skills, such as being able to identify biases, evaluate sources, and synthesize information.
The younger generation’s preference for summaries and reviews over traditional sources of information, such as newspapers and books, has also been linked to decreased critical thinking skills.
They often prefer to watch skits and short videos that summarize complex topics rather than read detailed articles or watch longer videos. This can lead to a lack of depth in their knowledge and understanding and can make it difficult for them to form their own opinions and ideas. Young people need to engage with a variety of information sources, including traditional sources like newspapers and books
Which amplifies critical thinking ability. Let’s move on to the last two points on the list which strengthen the previous points
(9) INCREASED MULTI-TASKING.
Multitasking refers to the act of performing multiple tasks at the same time.
While it may seem to Gen-Zs like a good way to be productive, research has shown that it can lead to decreased productivity and cognitive overload.
When we multitask, we don’t give our full attention to any one task, which means that we may not complete any of them well. In addition, the constant switching between tasks can be mentally draining and can make it difficult to focus on a single task. It’s better to focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention, rather than trying to do multiple things at once. It oversimulates the prefrontal cortex thereby deflating their attention span.
(10) UNHEALTHY DIET
An unhealthy diet can also impact our ability to focus and think critically. Unfortunately, sugary and unhealthy diets have become the satisfactory go-to meal for most youths.
A diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats can lead to cognitive decline and can make one feel sluggish and tired, which can make it difficult to focus and think clearly. In addition, these foods can also lead to problems with mood and memory. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is important for maintaining good mental health and cognitive function. These are the 10 major factors responsible for the deterioration in the attention span of 21sr century youths popularly known as the Gen-Zs Finally, we must consider the implications of these issues for the future.
The potential implications of decreased critical thinking skills and an increased inattentive nature for the next generation are concerning. If young people are not able to think critically, they may have difficulty making important decisions, such as voting and choosing a career path. They may also be more susceptible to misinformation and propaganda. Additionally, they may struggle with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, due to the effects of constant stimulation and lack of focus.
The way we use technology will have a profound impact on the future, and we must find a way to use it in a way that doesn’t negatively impact our ability to think deeply and critically.
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