Hooked on the Feed

By Ariel Lee Sept. 24, 2025

In recent years, a new “disease” has been spreading across the internet: brainrot. Its symptoms include lost sleep, shortened attention spans and social withdrawal; its primary victims are youth who frequently use their phones. While brainrot may not be an official medical diagnosis, the behaviors connected with it are real. People who spend hours on fast-paced content often train their brains to expect constant stimulation, reducing memory retention and making it harder to focus on long-term tasks such as studying or reading. While the brain can recover when habits are changed, excessive exposure over long periods makes it increasingly difficult to break free from this cycle. These habits not only hurt academic performance but also interfere with healthy development. Children who scroll late into the night often sacrifice sleep, and students who spend many hours online have fewer opportunities for in-person social interaction. A study published by the National Institutes of Health also connects heavy screen use with rising rates of anxiety, depression and physical health issues such as eye strain and poor posture. 

“Sometimes I end up scrolling for 30 minutes to an hour longer than I should. As a result, I often rush to complete assignments before the 11:59 deadline or run out of time to study. Even just seeing my phone in my peripheral vision distracts me from homework.” Junior Sophia Liao said. 

Yet, brainrot is undeniably appealing to many. Part of its popularity comes from the sense of relief it provides, offering students a quick escape from homework, tests or social pressures. Brainrot also fosters community by giving people shared jokes, memes and trends to bond over.  

“I have a 45-minute time limit on TikTok, and while I do wish it were unlimited, I know that my parents are doing me a favor by limiting the time I spend on my phone. Limiting your screen time with someone else's authority can help you stay accountable for the time you spend on your phone,” Senior Vedh Atmakuri said. 

According to Eugene Pediatrics, no more than two hours of recreational screen time is suggested per day, although this varies by age. More important than the exact number of hours is how intentional students are with their usage. Healthy screen time habits include setting schedules, using phone time-limit features and being mindful about the type of content consumed. Instead of endless scrolling, students can choose educational or creative content, prioritize in-person relationships and unplug before bed. 

In the end, brainrot may not literally rot the brain, but its influence on mental, emotional and physical health can be detrimental. Self-awareness and moderation are crucial for students to enjoy the benefits of technology without sacrificing their health and well-being. 

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About the Contributor

Ariel Lee

Last Word Page Editor 

Ariel Lee is a junior at Leland High School and the School News and Last Word Page Editor for The Charger Account. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and shows, hanging out with friends, and eating new foods.