How Screens Have Shortened Our Attention Span

In 2000, humans' attention span was 12 seconds. Now, it's shrunk significantly to 8.25 seconds - less than that of a goldfish - and screen time may be to blame. Excessive screen time can lead to difficulty focusing and even ADHD-like symptoms in children. Screens can be highly stimulating and distracting and children who spend excessive amounts of time on screens may struggle to focus on other activities that need long, uninterrupted attention. 

This has a negative impact on both academic performance as well as social interactions and relationships. Lower attention span due to social media has been linked to reduced cognitive development and a decreased ability to regulate attention. According to the ADHD Center for Evaluation and Treatment at the Cleveland Clinic, “kids aged 5 or younger who experience two or more hours of daily screen time are nearly eight times more likely to be diagnosed with focus-related conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” (Discover Magazine). 

Electronics allow for repeated stimulation and instant gratification every few seconds and when we get used to this, it can be hard to focus when things in the real world aren’t as mesmerizing. Dimitri Christakis, an expert on children and media consumption, says that “the concern is that the pacing of the program, whether its video games or TV, is overstimulating and contributes to attention problems.” The most harmful kind of screen time is likely the kind that forces the viewer or game player to make a lot of quick decisions. Christakis also believes that 2 hours is too much screen time, especially in children (NPR).

There are two kinds of attention:

• Automatic

  • associated with the brain’s default mode network

  • typically use it when interacting with something that’s easily engaging

    • social media

    • video games

    • television

• Directed

  • associated with the task-positive network

  • typically use it when we’re concentrating on tedious tasks

    • studying

    • reading a book

    • folding laundry

Here are some tips to prevent shortened attention span:

• Set healthy screen time limits

• Engage in screen-less activities 

  • Reading

  • Creative activities

• Be mindful of what you are watching

  • avoid shows or games with excessive stimulation or violence

Sources: Wyzowl, Safes, Discover Magazine, NPR