Question

Technology is the culprit for shortened attention spans

Comments

When there is statements that technology is related to problems relating to the human brain how do you know exactly that is the cause of the problem?

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I think this is a good argument to have. But do keep in mind that when this was studied they may have not looked in to the other external factors that could result in people having a decreased attention span. I would also recommend looking at a website that has more reliable information as only having one source may not be enough to support it. Looking at other websites that connect to studies that relate to this topic can help more with supporting this claim and making it stronger as a whole.

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This is an argument that I agree with since, for reasons that are specific to me, I am unable to concentrate on movies without looking at another screen or going to my phone. Furthermore, I believe that the article does not present a counterargument to the hypothesis that social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok offer educational chances in addition to the potential to advance in one's career.

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This is a strong argument. In recent years, I’ve noticed that content creators tend to produce more short-form content. According to the article, TikTok has played a major role in this, with its platform featuring videos ranging from 5 seconds to 15 minutes. Gloria also mentions that the average attention span of teenagers is around 47 seconds. I believe platforms like Instagram and TikTok should begin promoting more educational content to better utilize their influence.

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Personally, I agree with this claim because I can relate to it. However to be more accurate, I would suggest seeing a website with more trustworthy data, as relying only on that one source isn’t enough to prove your claim 

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I agree, but I feel that there are more reliable sources that you could point to when supporting your claim. For example American Physiological Association has the same claim at https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans.

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The main claim of this article is true, but contains a slight exaggeration. The results of experiments conducted by The University of Chicago concluded that the presence of smartphones causes distraction and a depletion of cognitive efficiency in adolescents.

Answer 1

This claim is essentially true, though it may be somewhat exaggerated. Numerous studies indicate a decline in attention spans, which can be attributed to frequent digital stimulation, particularly from social media use, rather than technology as a whole. The original claim suggests that technology is the issue; however, the primary culprit is actually the constant hits of dopamine from short-form content on social media, which stimulates our brains in a manner similar to the way slot machines do. This creates an addictive cycle that leads to a preference for quick, easily digestible information. It's also important to consider other contributing factors, such as age and the increasing rates of ADHD diagnoses. Research indicates that technology affects brain function differently across age groups. For example, older adults who regularly use computers tend to perform better on cognitive tests compared to those who do not. Additionally, since 2016, studies have shown there has been a large increase in ADHD diagnoses among children. Both of these factors indicate that the original claim may be exaggerated. The article itself was published by the University of Massachusetts, a reputable University, and utilizes credible sources, including Gloria Mark, who earned her PhD in psychology from Columbia University, as well as research published by the University of Chicago Press.

Source 1- https://www.oxjournal.org/how-does-technology-affect-the-attention-spans-of-different-age-groups/

Source 2- https://dulaneygriffin.org/opinion/2023/02/27/is-technology-the-cause-of-shrinking-attention spans/#:~:text=Consistent%20digital%20simulation%20is%20a,especially%20from%20their%20original%20focus.

Source 3- https://www.humanetech.com/attention-mental-health#:~:text=Regular%20social%20media%20use%20also,sound%20bites%20and%20short%20videos.

Source 4- https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/05/23/1252941968/adhd-diagnoses-are-rising-1-in-9-u-s-kids-have-gotten-one-new-study-finds

Comments

While your answer is quite brief, it is straight to the point and includes three different sources to back up your answer. I like how you also didn't just say true or false; you said it is Exaggerated/ Misleading because there are many different factors that can be attributed to the claim.

Answer 2

I appreciate the argument presented here but I cannot forget to mention that you fail to include the fact that the use and the user of these technologies is almost always the sole reason on positive or negative effects of technology. What the user does with the technology after obtaining it whether it be to improve the mind or destroy it is not the fault of technology itself. Refer to this article by by the Ox journal on my point (https://www.oxjournal.org/how-does-technology-affect-the-attention-spans-of-different-age-groups/). Technology can almost always be used for positive outcomes and improving life qualities, by studying, transactions, and more. Of course, people's attention spans are dwindling when they are scrolling endlessly on a social media platform.

Comments

I agree with your statement! It is important to look at different confounding variables that could be affecting these claims. Many studies have shown that, while using certain types of technology for prolonged periods of time does have a negative impact on our brain function, many different types of technology can actually improve brain function. It's always important not to over generalize claims and be specific. Very nice comment!

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I agree with your assessment. It depends on how you use the technology because technology is not forcing you to aimlessly scroll, that is something you can choose to do. Great job thinking with a different perspective!

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I like your approach to this topic, specifically how you go into depth on how it is often what we do with the technology that determines the impact on us rather than the technology itself. This is very evident with real life as some use computers to drown away the worries and responsibilities of life with video games and youtube, while at the same time others use that very same technology to conduct cancer research, study weather patterns that helps farmers, and much more. Clearly if we indulge in some of the uses technology has there is evident risk to shortening attention spans as evidenced by the Ox journal, in multiple age groups. This is further evidenced by an article by the American Psychiatric Association (https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans). They specifically discuss how media has shifted to shorter form content which could be more to blame. I think this is a very relevant argument that should be studied more in depth.

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I completely agree with your claim that excessive use of technology is not good for the brain and can negatively affect our attention spans. I did some more research on the topic and found a very interesting article on the topic of "doom scrolling" that I thought added more information of the short form-based content.


  Ellis, M. E. (2024, February 21). What Is Doomscrolling? Why It Happens and How It Affects Your Mental Health. Constellation Behavioral Health. https://www.constellationbehavioralhealth.com/blog/what-is-doomscrolling-why-it-happens-and-how-it-affects-your-mental-health/

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How do you rate the claim? True? False? Other? It's not clear based on your fact-check. Always mention it within it and also select a rating. Thanks!

Answer 3

This claim is true or false based on whether you are a a technological determinist or social constructivist. Although, checking validity for “The median attention span is 47 seconds according to Gloria Mark, Ph.D, from the American Psychology Association”, I looked into Mark’s research and found a podcast where she explained an alarming decline in attention spans because of constant media consumption on screens. Her work was found through logging techniques and came to an AVERAGE of 47 seconds, which is different from a median. She mentioned that the median was 40 seconds of attention. Nonetheless, this claim that technology is the culprit for shortened attention spans is validated by personal experience in society as well. My brothers call it tiktok brain, or brain rot is another term, essentially meaning we cannot focus for as long as we used to, because of doom scrolling on social media platforms like tiktok or instagram reels. Some of my friends can’t even watch movies anymore because they aren’t stimulating enough, so this is very relevant and real.

Attention Span - GLORIA MARK, PhD

Speaking of Psychology: Why our attention spans are shrinking, with Gloria Mark, PhD

Comments

You did a really great job elaborating on this claim and finding great sources and showcasing that this is an idea that's enforced by a personal opinion, and not something that can be proved by studies or experts.

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I agree that this issue can be looked at from either side, however I would question wether it is the technology or the actual content expressed through the technology that causes this attention span loss. To my understanding this question does have a definitive answer, which is that the claim in this article is false. Technological determinism is often advocated by critics rather than scholars, due to the fact that social media's structure today is a result of commercial forces, rather than inevitable ones.

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I totally agree with you on this, it definitely depends on person to person. With my own experience I find that my attention span has definitely shortened but when there's certain things that i have to get done i tend to put my mind down to it. overall, i am glad that there have been further studies on this sudden issue that has risen within our age group.

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I agree with your stance on the topic. You were able to cite your sources immediately and get straight into whether the claim was true or not. You also provided a bunch of facts to back your own claims, which is essential in proving your point. In the response, you connected the topic to your own life and how screen time affects one's attention span, and I was able to clearly understand your opinion.

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This is a well-thought-out fact check, as it contains specific evidence from credible sources, which is supported by more evidence from personal experiences. Additionally, you were thorough in your corrections of the incorrect data of the mean versus the median, which are important pieces that must not be confused while analyzing data.

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I agree with your argument. I like that you used your personal observations about "TikTok brain" and "brain rot" resonate with the broader societal experience, further validating the claim that technology impacts attention spans.

Answer 4

Looking at this website, this seems to be a very one sided claim through the website, not arguing both sides, which could add value to their original claim. Is there a specific reason on why you used dailycollegian.com? Are there any other websites where both sides could be shown to prove the claim?

Comments

As the one asking for something to be fact-checked, it's common that the article they share is biased or one-track minded. It's our job as factcheckers to be the ones who find more reliable, researched, and impartial information to cite and form a conclusion with. Let's not worry about OP's article, it's our job to find better sources of information.

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I liked that you challenged the validity of the article for it being biased, but it could have gone a step further not only by questioning its validity but also by doing your own research to find a more credible, unbiased source. This could further help the person that made this claim to identify why the source they chose isn't exactly trustworthy. But other than that, good analysis.

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I like how you pointed out the biases in the article. When reading news, it is important to look at who is posting and what their motives are and to look at other points of view. It may also be beneficial to look at credited sources such as research that has been backed up and replicated.

Answer 5

Technology does change our attention spans but that varies from user to user. Someone who doesn't have social media or "scrollable" platforms on their phone won't have the shortened attention span of someone who is constantly on social media. At the end of the day technology does change the attention spans of those who use it so this claim would be considered true. However this source doesn't necessarily prove that. The person who wrote the article (Julia Bragg) is very reputable but this article was written from personal observation and not fact. This article also comes from The University of Massachsettes which is a non-biased student run newspaper and was written fairly recently in February of 2024. There are other sources that prove her claims to be true but that's not apparent in this specific article. One of those sources is TIME magazine which interviewed Margret Sibley who is a psychiatry professor at the University of Washington, and Adam Brown who is a co-directer at St Bonaventure University for the Center of Attention, Memory, and learning. Sibley states in the article that, "about half of adults think their attention spans are getting shorter, and plenty of teachers say the same thing is happening with kids." Adam Brown states that, "there's good reason for concern" and "Inattention has reached 'epidemic' levels." The American Psychological Association also backs this evidence with a study they conducted stating that, "back in 2004, we found the average attention span on any screen to be two and a half minutes on average. Throughout the years it became shorter. So around 2012 we found it to be 75 seconds." Over all, this claim is true but the article specifically used doesn't have enough evidence to make its claim true.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bragg

https://time.com/6302294/why-you-cant-focus-anymore-and-what-to-do-about-it/

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans

Comments

I think you make a great point that the effect of technology varies greatly form person to person. Although there might be a trend showing a correlation between presence of technology and length of attention spans, there is no true answer to the question because no two people are the same and the effects will vary greatly from person to person.

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you did a great job explaining this article. I agree that it really depends on who uses the technology and how well you can pay attention for. Since no two people are alike and the impacts will differ widely from person to person, there is no definitive answer to the question, even though there may be a trend indicating a correlation between the existence of technology and attention span length.

Answer 6

I partially agree that social media platforms have created a shorter attention span for teenagers and children. I can see the effects of this from my friends and siblings; sometimes they are not able to sit through long videos or talks. But I also believe that the leading cause of the shortened attention span is not just technology, but also the rise in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses, according to the article pasted here: (https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/05/23/1252941968/adhd-diagnoses-are-rising-1-in-9-u-s-kids-have-gotten-one-new-study-finds). The article shows that since the pandemic, there has been a rise in ADHD diagnoses, as well as the finding that 1 in 9 kids have been diagnosed with ADHD. The recent rise in popularity of TikTok and other social media platforms that feature short-length entertainment might be a small reason for the decline in kids' attention spans, but the main reason should be the disorder that they cannot control.

Answer 7

"Technology is the culprit for shortened attention spans" explains that the reason why our ability to focus or concentrate for extended periods is due to the persuasive use of digital devices and social media. Though that may be the reason to some people can't focus but it depends on the actual person. Attention spans have fluctuated overtime, the changes in media and society have an affect on this. I understand that technology may change how we might process information, but it does not necessarily mean that our attention spans become shorter. We also have the option to pay attention if we want if you find what you hear or see is interesting or isn't that's on you. This link provides a discussion between these two concepts.  https://modernmrsdarcy.com/interest-span-vs-attention-span/ Attention spans refers to the ability to focus on a task on the other hand interest span relates to how long an individual will be engaged with your activity or subject. 

Answer 8

The general claim that technology is harming our attention span could mostly be considered false due to how broad the claim is. It fails to take into account many variables, such as how people use technology and what kind of technology they use. Studies have shown that using certain types of technology can have negative impacts on the brain including attention and mood, but some studies have shown that it can be helpful to brain function depending on how/what is being used. 

Brain health consequences of digital technology use
 - PMC (nih.gov)

Answer 9

I completely agree with this claim and/or article as I have always believed that the usage of technology, smartphones, tv and other technical entertainment whether I enjoy the usage of it or not cause massive attention span shortages. From someone with ADHD and growing up during the early 2000s I have never not been around the usage of technology and have seen my attention span shortened by the usage of it. I would also like to add this article regarding the same topic but more so how "They can take a break, they can go to social media, they can go to a news site and they can take a break, relax themselves, then they can come back to work." Many of us have proven that our attention spans are even greater now as a newer generation has adapted to the usage of social media, tv, video games, etc while working. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans

Answer 10

I would make the argument that "Social Media" is the culprit in many to have short attention spans rather than just "Technology". Technology is more of a broad term rather than just a thing that causes attention loss because for example, a security camera is considered technology, but it is not considered by many to be something that causes people to lose attention quicker. The article linked is misleading because it claims that "Technology is the culprit for shortened attention spans" rather than the apps on our phones, or websites on our computers that give access to the type of media that generally causes the attention spans. From diving deeper into this topic, there are many more articles and papers from more reliable sources without the misleading titles that go further into this topic such as TIME or (APA), American Psychological Association.

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans

https://time.com/6302294/why-you-cant-focus-anymore-and-what-to-do-about-it/