Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Erin Keller

Experts weigh in: You’re definitely giving yourself brain rot

As short-form videos continue to shape the way we consume content — from TikTok and Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts — researchers are raising concerns about their potential impact on the brain.

Early studies are lending weight to fears of so-called “brain rot,” a term for mental or intellectual decline that was named Oxford University Press’ 2024 Word of the Year.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.