Research suggests that individuals who experience anxiety and distress related to their perception of aging may exhibit symptoms similar to those with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a condition characterized by obsessive thoughts about one's appearance. This phenomenon is not currently recognized as a distinct disorder, but its characteristics are thought to be closely related to the described experience.
https://channelnewsasia.com/today/mental-health-matters/grey-hair-wrinkles-unsettling-best-embrace-gains-ageing-4804791TikTok creator Afualo is stepping away from the app due to the pressure she feels to constantly meet others' expectations. She says she's been driven by a desire to protect and care for her online community, but this has led to feelings of inadequacy and burnout. Afualo notes that she's experienced similar struggles in the past, including a near-hospitalization last year, and is now prioritizing her mental health by taking a break from the app. She hopes this time away will allow her to re-center herself and return to her community with renewed energy and authenticity.
https://deadline.com/2024/12/tiktok-drew-afualo-taking-break-mental-health-1236200813/Oxford University Press has named "brain rot" as its Word of the Year for 2024, highlighting growing concerns about the negative effects of excessive social media use and the proliferation of low-quality online content. The term is thought to capture the idea that prolonged exposure to such content can lead to a decline in mental acuity and critical thinking skills.
The Oxford University Press has declared "brain rot" as the Word of the Year for 2024, highlighting growing concerns about the impact of excessive consumption of trivial content on social media on mental well-being. Psychologist Daphne Clarance shares her concerns that this phenomenon affects both children and adults, leading to a decline in mental abilities due to the constant exposure to low-quality online content. The term "brain rot" suggests that excessive scrolling through social media leaves little room for better brain health, contributing to a range of negative effects on mental well-being.
https://indiatoday.in/health/story/brain-rot-is-oxford-word-of-the-year-leads-to-reduced-attention-span-2645998-2024-12-07The younger generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and low self-esteem due to their constant exposure to screens from a young age. According to Peer, this is because their brains are still developing and are being trained to avoid deep thinking as they spend more time on devices. This can lead to habits such as doomscrolling, social comparison, and isolation, which further exacerbate these issues.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/long-reads/from-straight-a-student-to-digital-addict-how-alarming-rise-of-brain-rot-is-rewiring-young-mindBillie Eilish has expressed her struggles with social media, comparing its addictive nature to smoking. In an interview with Complex on December 5, the 22-year-old singer revealed that she often finds herself getting "sucked in" while browsing online, feeling stuck and unable to disconnect from it.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/578128-billie-eilish-compares-social-media-habit-to-this-bad-addictionActress Keira spoke about the challenges of being a young woman in the public eye, citing the loss of privacy and intense scrutiny as particularly difficult during her teenage years. She noted that social media has exacerbated these issues for younger girls entering the industry today, highlighting the damaging effects on their mental health.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1258710-keira-knightley-pays-price-of-fame-after-pirates-of-caribbean-successResearchers at MIT have found that people struggling with mental health issues are more likely to browse negative content online, which in turn worsens their symptoms. A study of over 1,000 participants showed that those who already had mental health symptoms were more likely to seek out and view negative or fearful content, leading to a vicious feedback loop. The researchers developed a web plug-in tool called "Digital Diet" to help individuals make informed decisions about the content they view online. The tool scores search engine results in three categories: emotion, knowledge, and actionability, with the goal of helping users avoid negative content and improve their mental health.
https://news.mit.edu/2024/study-browsing-negative-content-online-makes-mental-health-struggles-worse-1205Oxford University has chosen "grief" as its Word of the Year, reflecting how people's lives have become increasingly intertwined with online interactions. The choice was made by a panel at Oxford Dictionaries, which cited the growing awareness and discussion about mental health in the context of social media use. This year's selection is seen as a commentary on the state of modern life, where people are constantly connected but often feel isolated.
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/12/behind-the-brain-rot/680866/