The Digital Age Is Causing ‘Popcorn Brains’: Here Are Five Factors Why It Drives Away Our Focus

Have you ever noticed yourself struggling to do something important but getting distracted by looking at your phone from time to time? You might have a 'popcorn brain!'

People spend 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones and check them approximately 58 times daily, according to 2024 Statistics on Time Spent Using Smartphones.

What Is A 'Popcorn Brain?'

A 'Popcorn brain' occurs when one's attention shifts rapidly from one topic or task to another, like popcorn kernels popping in a microwave. This is often attributed to excessive screen time and constant notifications, which diminish one's ability to maintain focused attention.

Licensed psychologist Andrew Kahn, PsyD, told Real Simple that modern apps and social media exacerbate the issue by constantly enticing us to look at our devices periodically. This constant competition for attention has shortened information bursts, intensified stimulation, and draws our focus toward content, which results in our shortened ability to focus on a single screen or away from screens for a prolonged period.

The Average Attention Span

Gloria Mark, chancellor's professor emerita at the University of California Irvine and author of "Attention Span," started researching attention spans in 2003 and observed that people spent an average of two and a half minutes on any computer screen before switching tasks. According to USA TODAY, this duration decreased to 75 seconds in 2012 and to just 47 seconds in her third study from 2016 to 2020.

What Causes Short Attention Span?

Here are what experts identify as factors influencing attention spans:

1. A 'Rabbit Hole' Distraction

The internet functions like a rabbit hole that continuously draws us in with its hyperlinks, tagged photos, and pop-up ads, creating a 'rollercoaster' of seeking rewards, explains Marcy Caldwell, a licensed clinical psychologist. According to her, our engagement peaks when we switch to a new tab, followed by declining levels of satisfaction that drive us to seek more.

2. Algorithms Enslave Users

According to Sendible, Social media companies meticulously craft their algorithms to curate feeds and display posts that captivate their audience's attention. These algorithms utilize computer engagement codes tailored to discern users' preferences and social connections, such as friends, fans, and followers, and which updates will likely elicit particular responses over time.

Mark says this is the same reason why disengaging from technology is challenging.

3. Person-to-Person Differences

While some people are born with strong self-regulation skills as a personality trait, others do not have low impulsivity and high conscientiousness, which help them control their attention effectively.

For instance, individuals with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, often struggle with regulating their attention because there is a tendency for their brain to seek stimulation that can rapidly and intensely increase dopamine levels. This pursuit of pleasurable rewards can ultimately serve as a powerful form of self-medication, according to Additude.

4. A Social Reward Activator

Receiving a "like" or interaction from a follower triggers the social rewards people naturally crave. Mark explains that the internet has evolved into a space where users can cultivate friendships and even achieve fame, creating a strong motivation to return for more, particularly for those who lack a similar community offline.

5. Information Overload

Sometimes, an excess of something positive can have negative consequences. According to clinical psychologist Sanam Hafeez, PsyD., the abundance of information from diverse sources on social media can cause cognitive overload, making it difficult to process and remember meaningful information.

Khan told Real Simple that people are becoming passive rather than active participants in what they do, buy, or watch, which leads to impulsive decisions and a complete detachment from their cognitive processes.