Kwabena Asumadu
English 110
Op-Ed Essay
9 April 2025
The Impact of Social Media on Our Attention Spans And How to Reclaim Focus
Social media is a ubiquitous part of life in the modern age, and even more so for college students. From mindless scrolling on TikTok between classes to lying awake at night stressing about viewing Instagram stories, there is always something competing for one’s attention. As much as it can be enjoyable and inclusive, the persistent stream of notifications and limitless content take a toll. One of the most significant effects is reducing our attention spans. We’ve all been there, frustrated that we can’t concentrate on assignments or study sessions because we just can’t resist checking our phones. So, what’s going on with our capacity to concentrate, and more importantly, how do we get our concentration back?
Social media sites, and TikTok especially, have made it evident that our attention spans are getting shorter. TikTok’s short videos typically 15 seconds to 1 minute long are designed to be addictive. The endless scroll from one video to the next doesn’t give our brains much time to unwind. The algorithm works in our favor, showing us more of what we’ve already interacted with, and making us want to keep scrolling. They’ve even given it a name, “TikTok Brain,” a condition whereby our brains become accustomed to taking in bite-sized morsels of information and focusing on longer, more important activities such as homework or studying becomes a chore. And as The Guardian points out, the quick-fire pace of these sites can make us ever more intolerant of tasks that demand longer attention.
There was an article in The Guardian a while ago about how all of this content on sites like TikTok is affecting mental health, specifically focus. It explains how the constant barrage of content designed to capture one’s attention can train the brain to seek immediate gratification, much like gamblers do. This insatiable desire for instant gratification rewires our brains to crave quick, bite-sized bits of information, making us even less patient with tasks that require sustained focus. I’ve also found myself guilty of checking my phone in class or while attempting to do homework. The desire to visit social networking sites is overwhelming, and I feel as if I am fighting distractions minute by minute to complete one assignment in solitude.
The disappearing attention span is supported by scientific evidence rather than anecdotes. A study published in NCBI found that using social networking sites is associated with attention deficit, anxiety, and academic underperformance, particularly among young adults. The longer we spend scrolling, the less time we have for tasks that require focused thinking, such as studying for an exam or working on assignments. Our brains are trained to anticipate quick and easy content, making it difficult to focus on something that requires effort. As Gloria Mark, a leading scholar on digital distraction, explains on an American Psychological Association podcast, our minds are becoming accustomed to needing constant stimulation, and that is leaving us mentally exhausted and unable to focus on tasks over long periods.
This isn’t just a problem for students; it’s something affecting society as a whole. According to Pew Research, nearly 61% of people admit to being distracted during conversations because they’re looking at their phones. Social media thrives on our short attention spans, and the more time we spend scrolling, the harder it becomes to focus on anything else. It’s like we’re constantly being trained to juggle too many things at once, making it difficult to give our full attention to any one thing for an extended period.
As a college student, I experience this daily. Whether I’m reading for class, studying for an exam, or working on an essay, social media always seems to pull me away. I’ll be deep in writing a paper when, out of nowhere, I get the urge to check Instagram or see what’s happening on Twitter. Before I know it, hours have passed, and I’ve barely made progress. It’s not just the distractions that get to me, but the mental fatigue that follows. After spending too much time online, I feel drained and less motivated to get anything done.
I’m definitely not alone in this struggle. Most of my friends and classmates share the same issue, with social media being one of their biggest distractions. Some even talk about feeling “FOMO” (fear of missing out), which makes it even harder to resist the urge to check their phones. While these platforms offer entertainment and connection, they also make it tough to focus on the things that really matter.
So, what do we do about it? Well, first we need to recognize the issue and see how it’s impacting us. Then we can do something about it. One thing that’s helped me is to put some definite boundaries around social media usage. For instance, I’ve begun using the “Do Not Disturb” function on my phone when I really need to concentrate. Furthermore, I try to schedule particular times to be on social media, such as when taking breaks, so that it does not occupy my entire day.
One other technique is utilizing productivity software such as “Forest” or “Focus@Will” that eliminate distractions by not permitting you to open social media programs while you work. These programs provide some sense of accountability and even reward you for remaining focused. A really simple yet effective method is placing my phone in a different room while I’m studying. It does not come naturally, but it has managed to keep the temptation to check notifications every other minute in check.
On a macro level, schools themselves can help by encouraging digital literacy and assisting students in forming healthier social media habits. Classes in time management, digital wellness, and mindfulness would allow students to learn how to manage their relationship with technology. Professors can also promote more substantive, reflective discussions that engage students and provide them with a reason not to reach for their phones.
Social media has undoubtedly transformed the way we communicate, but the way it affects our attention spans is troubling. As students, we can confess that our frequent usage of social media platforms such as TikTok is not just distracting us, but also altering the way our brains are wired. By working to restrict our social media usage, establishing boundaries, and utilizing apps to boost productivity, we can regain the power of concentration and take back our academic and social lives. The time has come to make social media less in charge of our attention and more about reclaiming the focus that we need in order to excel.
Multimodal: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iVtRexQJkSTrjm8q4OkWIYLsGceMB_HG/view?usp=sharing
Works Cited
The Guardian. “Is Doom Scrolling Really Rotting Our Brains? The Evidence Is Getting Harder
to Ignore.” The Guardian, Dec. 9, 2024. theguardian.com
American Psychological Association. “Why Our Attention Spans Are Shrinking, with Gloria
Mark, PhD.” Speaking of Psychology, 2024. apa.org
NCBI. “Media Use, Attention, Mental Health and Academic Performance: A Review of the
Literature.” PubMed Central, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
JOLT. “TikTok Brain: Can We Save Children’s Attention Spans?” JOLT, Mar. 6, 2024.