A wave of digital overload is sweeping through the world’s youth, and Thailand is no exception. Recent neuroscience research reveals that excessive social media, gaming, and screen time can harm memory, impair critical thinking, and leave young people feeling fatigued, unfocused, and emotionally detached. As Thais of all ages spend more time glued to screens, new findings provide urgent insights—and practical steps—to guard our brains in the digital age.
The term “brain rot,” notably named Oxford’s Word of the Year 2024, has rapidly entered global consciousness to describe the subtle yet significant meltdown of cognitive capacities linked to the overconsumption of digital content, particularly that which is superficial or emotionally distressing. For Thai society—where mobile internet penetration is among Asia’s highest and app-based lifestyles are ubiquitous—the risk and reality of this phenomenon present far-reaching implications for education, mental health, and even national productivity.
The latest scientific consensus, published in the high-impact open-access review “Demystifying the New Dilemma of Brain Rot in the Digital Era” (2025), details the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms behind how digital overload impacts the adolescent and young adult brain. The work rapidly synthesizes dozens of recent medical and social science studies, spotlighting three primary drivers: excessive screen time, addiction to social networking, and cognitive overload induced by constant multitasking.
This crisis is not imaginary. Thai school and university students are spending up to 7 hours per day on non-academic screen-based activities, according to a 2024 international study cited by the review. These prolonged periods are strongly linked to increasing rates of anxiety and depression (Inspira Health, 2025). More alarmingly, research from Thai institutions reveals that a large proportion of youth report “digital fatigue,” poorer sleep, and worsening academic performance after the nationwide switch to hybrid and online learning during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The neuroscience of “brain rot” underscores that digital habits such as “doomscrolling” (compulsively scanning negative news) and “zombie scrolling” (mindless, prolonged browsing with little intent) do more than sap time—they disrupt core brain functions. fMRI and neuroimaging studies demonstrate that persistent exposure to low-value digital content hampers the frontal cortex, a brain region critical for attention, memory consolidation, decision-making, and emotional regulation (Mendez et al., 2024). Young brains, still in the critical periods of development (especially during adolescence), are even more vulnerable. Behavioral addiction patterns—reinforced by the dopamine-driven instant rewards of social media likes and notifications—can produce compulsive engagement loops eerily akin to gambling.
Kids and young adults immersed in these digital environments report diminished attention spans, described as “brain fog,” difficulties with working memory (trouble learning or remembering new things), and sluggish problem-solving abilities. The review also highlights emotional and social costs, including increased isolation, social withdrawal, and negative self-esteem—a finding publicly echoed by Thai school counselors and university mental health service leaders. Prolonged digital exposure also raises risks for later-life cognitive decline, potentially accelerating neurodegenerative processes.
But the research is not alarmist for the sake of it. Crucially, it identifies what works to counteract these cognitive drains. Four practical solutions emerge from the evidence:
- Regulate and Reduce Screen Time: Simple awareness—such as using a tracking app or setting app timers—has been shown to prompt teenagers to voluntarily cut screen use by up to 25%, which measurably improves focus and mood within weeks (Jiang et al., 2023).
- Curate Media Feeds and Information Sources: Unfollowing negative or distracting accounts, and opting for more uplifting or educational content, can help restore a sense of agency and reduce anxiety (Taskin et al., 2024).
- Prioritize Non-Digital Activities: Engaging in exercise, arts, group volunteering, or other “offline” pursuits replenishes cognitive resources lost from scrolling and strengthens social bonds. These unplugged activities are shown to boost problem-solving and memory formation, key for Thai students navigating high-stakes exams (Chen et al., 2023).
- Foster Supportive Communities: Whether in Thai families, schools or workplaces, promoting dialogue about digital habits, and providing communal activities and mental health support, helps mitigate the isolation and negativity loop.
Thai culture itself holds powerful tools for a balanced digital life. The concepts of “sufficiency economy” (เศรษฐกิจพอเพียง), mindfulness (สติ), and the high value placed on harmonious relationships can serve as cultural anchors to counter digital excess. Many Thai schools and provincial health offices have begun adapting mindfulness programs to help youth reflect on their screen habits, report educators from Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai.
However, obstacles abound. Thai parents frequently face generational technology gaps, struggling to monitor or understand their children’s digital habits. The rapid evolution of platforms, shorter video formats like TikTok, and algorithm-driven content keep users engaged for longer and make attempts at self-regulation challenging (Simpson & Semaan, 2021). Thai teachers, meanwhile, report increasing distractions in the classroom and difficulty competing with the allure of constantly-available entertainment on students’ devices.
Experts warn that policy action is needed. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Education have all recognized the risks of digital overload, but coordination is often lacking. Singapore’s successful “Digital Well-being” curriculum, introduced in 2023, and Japan’s government-funded “screen time hygiene” public education campaign are cited as potential models for Thailand—blending regulation, behavioral nudging, and parental guidance (Morningstar, 2025).
Thai-specific research so far echoes international patterns. A 2024 cross-sectional survey of Bangkok vocational students found that more than half experienced daily “brain fog,” while 70% agreed that social media use impacted their sleep, memory, and mood. Parents and caregivers, for their part, voiced concern but admitted to feeling powerless against the “endless scroll”—with many reporting increased family conflict due to phone overuse. These findings highlight that individual responsibility alone is insufficient; a broader, community-based approach is needed.
Looking to the future, neuroscientists and psychologists agree: moderation and intentionality are the best defense. If left unaddressed, brain rot threatens to undermine not only the academic achievements and mental health of the next generation, but Thailand’s broader aspirations for a “smart society” grounded in creativity and innovation. Policymakers, school leaders, healthcare professionals, and parents must coordinate efforts to foster critical digital literacy, emotional resilience, and diverse, screen-free experiences for Thai youth.
Actionable Steps for Thai Readers:
- Start with self-awareness: Track daily screen use for a week and notice what apps or platforms drain the most time and energy.
- Create “technology-free zones” at home, such as at the dinner table or during family hours, to encourage real-world connections.
- Use mindfulness or meditation to strengthen attention and self-control—both central values in Thai Buddhist tradition.
- Teachers and university staff should integrate digital well-being discussions and unplugged group projects into the curriculum.
- Policy advocates can push for evidence-based guidelines on screen use, modeled after Singapore’s or Japan’s successful examples, while adapting them to Thai social realities.
For children and teenagers especially, parents and teachers play a crucial role. Rather than only restricting, they should model healthy digital habits, encourage critical thinking about what they see digitally, and celebrate achievements and joy found offline.
Digital technology is not the enemy—indeed, it brings tremendous educational and occupational benefits—but in excess and without reflection, it can erode the very faculties it is meant to enhance. The science is clear: a balanced, mindful approach to digital life will protect not just our brains, but the foundations of family, learning, and community so central to the Thai way of life.
For more on the neuroscience of digital overload and practical brain health tips, explore the full review at PMC11939997 and look for future guidance from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education.