Saving the Young Generation from Digital Threats and Brain Decay

This is a Response to the Brain Rot wikithon

In this digital era, the phenomenon of brain rot has become an increasing concern in education. Brain rot refers to the decline in critical thinking skills, memory, and deep comprehension due to excessive consumption of shallow digital content, such as social media and instant entertainment. A clear example of this phenomenon is students prioritizing gadgets over textbooks, as illustrated by a student leaving the classroom carrying a smartphone but forgetting their book.

Perspectives on Brain Rot in Education

The rise in social media usage is closely linked to a decline in deep reading skills and an increase in attention disorders. Children who are frequently exposed to instant entertainment tend to have shorter attention spans and struggle to comprehend complex subjects. - Deep reading, which involves analysis and reflection, is increasingly being replaced by fast reading without comprehension. As a result, students become less capable of critical thinking and analyzing issues in both academic and everyday life contexts. - Children who spend more time with gadgets than engaging in direct social interactions are more likely to experience difficulties in communication, empathy, and emotional management. This can also affect their long-term mental well-being.

Solutions to Overcome Brain Rot in Schools To address this challenge, collaboration between schools, teachers, parents, and students is essential: - Schools should implement policies that limit gadget use in classrooms strictly for learning purposes. Additionally, students should be encouraged to read physical books again to maintain their literacy and analytical skills. - Students must be taught how to filter and manage beneficial digital content. Schools can organize digital literacy programs to raise awareness about the negative effects of instant entertainment and encourage productive technology use. - Interactive and discussion-based learning can make students more enthusiastic about studying without relying on digital entertainment. Methods such as gamification, research-based projects, and collaborative approaches can enhance student engagement.

- Schools can introduce reading programs, book reviews, or discussion sessions to boost students' interest in reading. This way, students not only read but also develop critical thinking skills and learn to express their opinions effectively.

Affiliation: SMAN 1 MARTAPURA
Age: 16-21