The intense use of digital media among young people increasingly leads to issues such as reduced attention spans and cognitive fatigue. The role of social media platforms in this process is quite evident. Doğru discusses 'doomscrolling' (immersing oneself in a stream of bad news) as a significant example from the perspective of emotional and mental health. Such behaviors negatively affect the brain's reward system.
"Uncontrolled digital media use begins to decrease an individual's mental and emotional well-being. For instance, activities like doomscrolling affect the brain's reward system because people tend to prioritize and remember negative information more than positive information. As a result, encountering sad news leads to searching for even more demoralizing information. A study found that individuals who consume an excessive amount of negative news have poorer mental and even physical health."
Experts suggest that a digital detox could be an effective solution to stop the process of brain decay. Research conducted by Harvard University shows that staying away from digital devices for one day a week can enhance cognitive functions and reduce mental fatigue. Additionally, increasing physical activity and limiting the time spent in front of screens allows the brain to rest and function more efficiently.
Merve Doğru emphasizes that families need to take several important steps to manage children's and adolescents' use of digital media, highlighting the importance of limiting screen time. ''Parents should set reminder alarms to help their children develop self-control. We also emphasize the importance of digital detox. Research shows that taking a short break from social media enhances mental well-being,'' she says.
