<2> Is ‘Brain Rot’ Real? How Too Much Time Online Can Affect Your Mind
<3> The Effects of Excessive Screen Time on the Brain
Research suggests that excessive screen time can have a negative impact on our brains, including affecting our attention, memory, and mental health. A recent meta-analysis of the scientific literature found that increased use of short-form video was linked with poorer cognition and increased anxiety.
<3> The Impact on Cortical Thickness
A 2025 study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry looked at longitudinal data from more than 7,000 children across the country and found that more screen use was associated with reduced cortical thickness in certain areas of the brain. The cortex, which is the outer layer that sits on top of our more primitive brain structures, allows for higher-level thinking, memory, and decision-making.
<3> The Role of the Cortex in Impulsivity and Addiction
“We really need it for things like inhibitory control or not being so impulsive,” said Mitch Prinstein, a senior science adviser to the American Psychological Association and professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who was not involved in the study. The cortex is also important for controlling addictive behaviors. “Those