28 Nov Why digital ‘Brain rot’ and overload is more myth than menace
Can Screen Time Really Impact Kids’ Mental Clarity and Wellbeing? Researchers from UNSW’s School of Psychology investigate.
With digital devices now ever-present in children’s lives, many parents worry about potential mental and emotional consequences of excessive screen time. Is there any truth to ‘brain rot’—the idea that too much screen time harms kids’ cognitive abilities? Psychologists from UNSW suggest that the answer might be more complex.
Dr. Poppy Watson from UNSW’s School of Psychology notes that while it’s reasonable to explore potential impacts of prolonged screen time, so far, there’s no clear evidence linking heavy social media use directly to the mental fatigue and cognitive dips commonly associated with ‘brain rot.’ Dr. Watson, whose research focuses on how external cues affect decision-making and attention, explains that although excessive screen time correlates with certain cognitive changes, many other factors—such as socioeconomic status, diet, and access to education—may play a bigger role in shaping mental agility.
“There are other factors that affect your brain health and cognitive control beyond social media,” Dr. Watson says. “Things like poverty, diet, and education access are among the strongest predictors of brain health and cognitive function.”
Interestingly, intelligence measures like IQ scores have continued to rise in modern generations, defying the expectation that digital content could be stunting young minds—a trend known as the Flynn Effect.
Mental Health and Digital Content: Screen Time’s Role
Concerns also extend to mental health, as screen time is often tied to rising rates of anxiety and depression in children. Dr. Sophie Li, a clinical psychologist at the Black Dog Institute, is leading a large study on screen time and mental health in Australian teens. Although early findings show a link between screen time and lower mental health scores, Dr. Li emphasizes that it’s unclear whether screen time is the direct cause of these mental health shifts or if anxious or depressed teens are more likely to use digital devices as a coping tool.
“We replicated previous studies showing a correlation between more screen time and increased anxiety and depression,” Dr. Li explains. “But when we looked at these factors over time, the correlation reduced or disappeared, which suggests screen time itself might not be driving mental health declines.”
Parents’ Role in Digital Wellbeing
Experts agree that digital safety and moderation can help mitigate risks. Dr. Li recommends parents encourage balance by setting limits on screen time, promoting offline activities, and discussing digital citizenship to help children navigate online spaces safely. She empathizes with parents who have concerns, saying, “We understand the challenges in this digital age and encourage parents to stay involved, set boundaries, and regularly check in with their children about their tech use.”
This research offers reassurance, but the conversation around digital health is ongoing. Experts remind us that technology fears have been around since the age of Socrates, and though technology evolves, so do our strategies to live healthily alongside it.
