Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

You Scroll 4 Mt Everest In An Year—But That's Only Causing Brain Rot

A recent study found that we scroll a distance which is equivalent to four times the height of Mount Everest in a year. Intrestingly, it stated that an average person's newsfeed in terms of scroll length can be the same as the Statue of Liberty in a day, two Eiffel Towers in a week and three Burj Khalifas in a month. But where is all this doom-scrolling taking us? 

If neurologists and brain scientists are to be believed, then all these hours we spend mindlessly with our phones have only resulted in <span>brain rot</span>. If you ever want to witness the last vestiges of human intellect swirling down the drain, you just open your phone and type the words "skibidi toilet". The video, which will emerge, features an animated human head protruding from a toilet bowl while singing the nonsensical lyrics "skibidi dop dop dop yes yes". The 11-second clip has been viewed more than 215 million times, directly highlighting the intensity of brain rot.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-no-tobacco-day-2025-how-safe-vaping-is-hooking-a-new-generation-on-nicotine-article-151761403" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">How “Safe” Vaping Is Hooking A New Generation On Nicotine?</a> 

Not so surprisingly, Brain Rot is the <span>Oxford</span> word of the year 2024. The dictionary defines it as "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging".

<h2>Technology Is Causing Brain Rot And We Know It</h2>

Beyond the obvious, there are still several people who are aware of how literally technology is rotting our brains, and how decisively compulsive internet use is destroying our grey matter. For the uninitiated, grey matter is the region with high concentration of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. 

The concept was portended almost 20 years ago when scientists studied the effects of the then-new invention called "email". They wanted to fathom the impact of a barrage of information on the brain. After conducting multiple studies, they concluded that constant cognitive overload had a more negative effect than taking cannabis, with IQS of participants in a study dropping an average of 10 points. And imagine this was before the internet brought the world to our fingertips.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/world-no-tobacco-day-2025-theme-history-and-significance-article-151758891" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">World No Tobacco Day 2025 Theme</a>

<h2>How To Stop <span rel="noindex">Doomscrolling</span>?</h2>This is not about completely avoiding screens (because let’s be real, that's practically impossible). But we can help kids and teens reduce their reliance on technology and recalibrate their brains. Here are a few tips:

<ul><li>Lead by example: The most effective way to change behaviour is to model it. Parents who set their own boundaries around screen time and engage in offline activities will set a positive example for their children.</li><li>Set digital boundaries: Start by setting limits on screen time, whether it's through built-in screen-time trackers or apps that help monitor usage. Encourage regular breaks and give time for the mind to relax and recharge.</li><li>Tech-free hours: One of the best ways to reset is by establishing tech-free zones, like at mealtimes or right before bed. These are opportunities to engage in meaningful, face-to-face conversations. As tempting as it may be to scroll late at night, it’s important to keep phones out of reach during sleeping hours—screens can disrupt sleep patterns and negatively impact health.</li><li>The 80/20 rule: Aim for 80% of screen time to be dedicated to educational, enriching or creative content. The other 20% can be reserved for lighter, more entertaining content.</li><li>Rediscover hobbies and offline activities: Encourage kids to get involved in hobbies and activities that don’t involve screens. Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, playing a sport, crafting, reading a book or learning a musical instrument, these offline experiences help foster curiosity and creativity—qualities that doomscrolling tends to suppress.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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dOOMSCROLLING

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Brain Rot

brain health

social media

Phone scrolling

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A recent study found that we scroll a distance which is equivalent to four times the height of Mount Everest in a year. Intrestingly, it stated that an average person's newsfeed in terms of scroll length can be the same as the Statue of Liberty in a day, two Eiffel Towers in a week and three Burj Khalifas in a month. But where is all this doom-scrolling taking us? If neurologists and brain scientists are to be believed, then all these hours we spend mindlessly with our phones have only resulted in brain rot. If you ever want to witness the last vestiges of human intellect swirling down the drain, you just open your phone and type the words "skibidi toilet". The video, which will emerge, features an animated human head protruding from a toilet bowl while singing the nonsensical lyrics "skibidi dop dop dop yes yes". The 11-second clip has been viewed more than 215 million times, directly highlighting the intensity of brain rot.Also Read: How “Safe” Vaping Is Hooking A New Generation On Nicotine? Not so surprisingly, Brain Rot is the Oxford word of the year 2024. The dictionary defines it as "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging". Technology Is Causing Brain Rot And We Know ItBeyond the obvious, there are still several people who are aware of how literally technology is rotting our brains, and how decisively compulsive internet use is destroying our grey matter. For the uninitiated, grey matter is the region with high concentration of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The concept was portended almost 20 years ago when scientists studied the effects of the then-new invention called "email". They wanted to fathom the impact of a barrage of information on the brain. After conducting multiple studies, they concluded that constant cognitive overload had a more negative effect than taking cannabis, with IQS of participants in a study dropping an average of 10 points. And imagine this was before the internet brought the world to our fingertips.Also Read: World No Tobacco Day 2025 ThemeHow To Stop Doomscrolling?This is not about completely avoiding screens (because let’s be real, that's practically impossible). But we can help kids and teens reduce their reliance on technology and recalibrate their brains. Here are a few tips:Lead by example: The most effective way to change behaviour is to model it. Parents who set their own boundaries around screen time and engage in offline activities will set a positive example for their children.Set digital boundaries: Start by setting limits on screen time, whether it's through built-in screen-time trackers or apps that help monitor usage. Encourage regular breaks and give time for the mind to relax and recharge.Tech-free hours: One of the best ways to reset is by establishing tech-free zones, like at mealtimes or right before bed. These are opportunities to engage in meaningful, face-to-face conversations. As tempting as it may be to scroll late at night, it’s important to keep phones out of reach during sleeping hours—screens can disrupt sleep patterns and negatively impact health.The 80/20 rule: Aim for 80% of screen time to be dedicated to educational, enriching or creative content. The other 20% can be reserved for lighter, more entertaining content.Rediscover hobbies and offline activities: Encourage kids to get involved in hobbies and activities that don’t involve screens. Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, playing a sport, crafting, reading a book or learning a musical instrument, these offline experiences help foster curiosity and creativity—qualities that doomscrolling tends to suppress.