Defeating TikTok Brain
How reading protects your brain in the age of distraction
Image by: Mohamed_hassan on Pixabay
The term 'TikTok brain' can be seen all over the internet and refers to declining attention spans and an addiction to fast dopamine. In this conference paper, Jimin Zhang argues:
TikTok is not the only cause of increasingly common attention deficits and an addiction to fast dopamine though, as this article points out that:
“The high frequency form of short video content makes people addicted to dopamine and releases it quickly. Long-term use will make people addicted to the fun of useless thinking. The so-called emptiness after happiness will cause people to fall into a vicious circle and lose their minds”
Unfortunately, this statement may be more than just hyperbole, as a study out of China that looked at young adults using China's version of TikTok (抖音), found that many users showed symptoms of being unable to control themselves when consuming short form content, with almost 6% of users exhibiting significantly problematic usage patterns. This is unsurprising, as such applications use powerful recommendation algorithms to keep users coming back. The main issue with this addiction is that it weakens the brain's capacity for focus, as revealed in this study which found that those addicted to short-videos have issues with holding their attention. TikTok is not the only cause of increasingly common attention deficits and an addiction to fast dopamine though, as this article points out that:
“Attention span and concentration issues are among the most commonly reported problems associated with excessive gaming. The fast-paced nature of many video games, with their constant stream of stimuli and rewards, can condition the brain to expect rapid gratification. This can make it challenging for gamers to focus on tasks that require sustained attention ”
Clearly, fast dopamine and distractions are all around us. There is simply no need for us to persevere with long-form content anymore, and our brains ability to concentrate on a task that will bring delayed gratification is becoming detrained as we replace tasks like reading with tasks like gaming and scrolling. Improve concentration
Technology and the Internet are here to stay. As David Mikics points out, the Internet has improved many things but made it difficult for us to read. If we wish to retrain our brain to enjoy long-form content and maintain concentration so that we can enjoy reading as much as doomscrolling, then cultivating a reading habit is essential. In fact, this journal places reading habits alongside concentration in terms of things that students can do to improve their academic performance. Furthermore, it is not necessary for us to avoid technology and go back to only using paper, as research on using digital content when reading suggests that while highly interactive interfaces may reduce concentration, some digital content could make it more interesting for the reader. Needless to say, it is much easier to concentrate on things we find interesting, especially in 2025, where sudden hits of dopamine are available at the click of a button.
Cognitive function long-term
Concentration is a crucial part of cognitive function that can help us perform better in both work and study. However, preventing cognitive decline is just as important as heightening cognitive function and research suggests that reading will not only improve concentration, but also provide us with more mentally healthy years. Research from the Beckman Institute found a clear connection between leisure reading and improved mental abilities in older adults, and a Taiwanese study on almost 2000 elderly people found that reading can protect cognitive function as we age.
If preserving mental sharpness as you age isn't enough, how about reducing your risk of Alzheimer's? According to the Alzheimer's Association, this disease affects 7 million Americans. This journal points out that alongside preserving cognitive function, those who read are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer's. Furthermore, a study supported by the National Institute on Aging found a 20% reduction in mortality for those who read books, meaning that while reading is not going to grant immortality, it helps to protect your brain and body against a number of medical issues.
If preserving mental sharpness as you age isn't enough, how about reducing your risk of Alzheimer's? According to the Alzheimer's Association, this disease affects 7 million Americans. This journal points out that alongside preserving cognitive function, those who read are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer's. Furthermore, a study supported by the National Institute on Aging found a 20% reduction in mortality for those who read books, meaning that while reading is not going to grant immortality, it helps to protect your brain and body against a number of medical issues.
Reduce stress
If helping you avoid TikTok brain and cognitive decline is still not enough, how about helping you to be happier? A study on 1711 individuals done during the COVID-19 pandemic found a correlation between lower negative emotion scores and decreased reading. Reading can heighten our happiness by reducing stress, a common issue in modern society that beats out brain and body down. Ciphr's 2024 research on stress found that almost a quarter of people in the UK have more stress-filled days than stress-free days. While the issues that cause stress cannot be solved by reading, the symptoms of stress can be partially managed through it.
In his journal article entitled 'Reflections on Reading', John E. Jackson brings attention to a study by consultancy firm Mindland International, which found that reading for just six minutes could slow down a person's heart rate, ease the tension in their muscles, and in turn reduce their stress levels. This effect has been seen even in those with typically stressful jobs, as a study found in The London Journal of Social Sciences found that 88% of managers had reading in their top three stress-relieving activities and believed it was a good investment of time. However, it is not necessary to read non-fiction to make it a good investment of time, as fiction may in fact be even more effective in terms of improving our mental state, as research suggests that reading fiction can be an affordable, accessible way of recovering from mental health disorders.
In his journal article entitled 'Reflections on Reading', John E. Jackson brings attention to a study by consultancy firm Mindland International, which found that reading for just six minutes could slow down a person's heart rate, ease the tension in their muscles, and in turn reduce their stress levels. This effect has been seen even in those with typically stressful jobs, as a study found in The London Journal of Social Sciences found that 88% of managers had reading in their top three stress-relieving activities and believed it was a good investment of time. However, it is not necessary to read non-fiction to make it a good investment of time, as fiction may in fact be even more effective in terms of improving our mental state, as research suggests that reading fiction can be an affordable, accessible way of recovering from mental health disorders.
Image by: Freepik
How to apply this
Cultivating a reading habit is simple for anyone with Internet access. A study out of Pakistan revealed that the Internet actually increases our reading habit. While this may contradict earlier research suggesting it offers too many distractions, it reminds us that with the internet, it is easy to access interesting stories at any time. As aforementioned, just 6 minutes of reading brings benefits, and this was emphasised in Tom Collins' book: Read 'em & Reap'. However, even if you are only reading for 6 minutes, the important thing is not to rush and to enjoy the process, as expressed by David Mikics:
“Reading for information is not the same as slow, deep reading, reading for pleasure and understanding. Slow reading is as rigorous as it is full of unexpected delight”
So, in summary, here's what you need to do: - Cultivate a daily reading habit: Use the internet to make reading accessible but avoid sites with excessive interaction, as this will reduce concentration. If you are learning Chinese, check out collection of stories here
- Minimum of 6 minutes: 6 minutes has been shown to be the minimum effective dose to access the mental health benefits.
- Enjoy the process: Reading will reduce stress levels only if you enjoy it, so take your time and enjoy whatever story you are reading.
In Conclusion
While 'TikTok brain' is a term often used humorously, it serves as a serious reminder of the dangers posed by fast dopamine and constant distraction. In an age of fleeting focus, preserving the ability to concentrate is crucial. Reading, as a timeless practice, not only improves and preserves cognitive function but also serves as an effective tool for stress management. By cultivating focus and mindfulness through such habits, we equip ourselves for healthier, more balanced lives both now and as we age.