By Rimsha Azhar
Something is happening to this generation, and it’s hard to ignore. Teenagers scroll for hours without blinking, eyes locked on screens, their attention scattered and minds overstimulated. They speak in short-form digital slang, fear silence, and avoid logging off in case they fall behind. The fear of missing out, or FOMO, is no longer just about plans, but about losing visibility, likes, and relevance. They are connected all day, yet often feel more alone than ever. Their bodies are slowing down, too. Many now experience what can only be described as body rot: poor sleep, chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, and restlessness from excessive screen time. For the mind, the consequences are just as alarming. Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year, “brain rot,” captures the cognitive decline caused by overconsuming trivial, overstimulating online content. First used jokingly by Gen Z, the term has entered serious discourse because it reflects the reality of a generation constantly scrolling but rarely thinking deeply. A 2023 study titled “The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Depression and Anxiety” highlights how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are directly linked to rising rates of depression, anxiety, and body image insecurity among young users. These platforms offer entertainment and expression, but they also flood teenagers with curated images, beauty standards, and lifestyle comparisons that gradually erode their confidence. The more they post, the more they compare. The more they watch, the more they feel left behind. And somewhere in that cycle, reel life starts replacing real life. They begin to measure their worth through metrics. According to socialization theory, young people learn who they are through social interaction, but now that interaction is filtered through algorithms. Likes, comments, and trends have become the primary mirror of identity. As The Social Dilemma, the Netflix documentary, revealed, these platforms are not neutral spaces where users simply share and connect. Behind every scroll is an algorithm designed to study behaviour, predict emotions, and shape choices. From what we click to how long we stare, everything is engineered. The goal is not to inform or entertain, but to maximize time spent on the app by triggering emotions like envy, outrage, and anxiety. This manipulation is subtle but powerful, especially for young users who are still forming their sense of self. In Pakistan, where open conversations about mental health are still rare and most schools do not offer digital literacy, the impact is even more dangerous. Without the tools to understand what is being done to their attention and emotions, many teens remain unaware that they are being shaped by forces they cannot see. The result is a generation that feels drained, anxious, and disconnected but does not fully understand why. Many teens are emotionally distant, mentally fatigued, and unsure how to reconnect with reality. If we want to protect this generation, we must act at every level. Schools must integrate digital literacy to help students understand how these platforms manipulate thought, behaviour, and self-image. Parents need to understand that not all screen time is harmless. And as a society, we must stop treating digital exhaustion as normal. Because unless we interrupt this cycle, we risk raising a generation fluent in content but distant from themselves.
The writer is a PhD scholar at the University of the Punjab. She can be reached at [email protected].