Digital Brain Rot Threat to Children's Minds| Sudanow Magazine

Port sudan (Sudanow Magazine)

With the rapid global development of technology and the modernization that has affected everything, even entertainment and children's games, and since Sudan is not isolated from the world, children have been impacted by this transformation in their lives and behavior. Game styles have changed from local, rooted in heritage and popular culture to attractive electronic games with a significant impact on behavior, comprehension, and perception. This leads to what is known as "digital brain rot" (Brainrot), a common term chosen by Oxford University Library as the word of the year for 2024. It describes a state of mental decline resulting from excessive use of trivial online content. The term is expected to become widespread in 2025, describing the vast amount of games, toys, and online content, some of which rely on artificial intelligence in their creation.

Sudanow met with Dr. Salwa Yousif Abdeldafie, Assistant Professor at Hafr Al-Batin University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (formerly Nilein University in Sudan), who is interested in this issue. The meeting concluded with the following:

Is there a scientific definition for the recently popular term "brain rot"?

It refers to mental pollution or corruption, describing a supposed decline in an individual's mental or intellectual state. It is not a medical diagnosis.

Psychologists define cognitive exhaustion as:

A state of cognitive exhaustion and cognitive decline primarily attributed to the excessive and aimless consumption of low-value, trivial, or intellectually unstimulating digital content, especially on social media platforms.

It poses an increasing challenge to the cognitive and psychological development of adolescents and young adults, particularly Generation Z, who are considered the most vulnerable to overconsumption of short-form, algorithmically driven content.

How can trivial content on technology negatively affect children's brain development?

Cognitive exhaustion, which is a form of psychological trauma and a loss of security and routine, can be addressed by providing strong family and emotional support and integrating them into meaningful educational programs that build their cognitive resilience and critical thinking skills.
The negative effects of this phenomenon can be summarized as follows:

The main effects are:

Cognitive Decline

Reduced Attention Span: Focusing on complex tasks or extended reading becomes difficult due to the constant consumption of fast-paced content.

Memory Problems: Weakened working memory and information retrieval abilities due to constant distractions and a lack of deep information processing.

Impaired Problem-Solving Skills: Reduced critical and analytical thinking and sound decision-making skills due to reliance on digital tools and instant gratification.

Exhaustion

Mental Fog/Cloudiness: A feeling of mental sluggishness and a lack of clarity in thinking.

Mental Health

Anxiety and Depression: Associated with excessive consumption of low-quality content and doom scrolling, which increases chronic stress levels.

Social Withdrawal: A decreased ability to engage in real-life social interactions, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Studies indicate that this phenomenon is particularly prevalent among Generation Z. Generation Alpha, because they grew up in a digitally saturated environment, is particularly vulnerable. Experts emphasize that this excessive consumption reduces the time spent on other cognitively enriching activities such as reading, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in face-to-face social interactions—activities essential for "brain training" and strengthening its functions.

Important note: Although the term implies "deterioration," research indicates that the cognitive effects of excessive social media use are reversible through strategies such as limiting screen time, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in non-digital activities. Cartoon characters and similar content fall under the category of trivial or intellectually unsatisfying content that causes "mental decay." This content is defined as childish or unserious and offers no cognitive or developmental benefit. This phenomenon is spread through memes and short-form content on platforms like TikTok, which are intentionally unproductive practices. This phenomenon has given rise to a specific language, such as the term "Skibidi," meaning "nonsensical." There are different types of A cultural subgenre of this phenomenon, such as the French "Lakaka." (Italian brainrot is a surreal internet meme that emerged in early 2025, featuring images and videos of unconventional creatures created using generative artificial intelligence, bearing names inspired by Italian culture or dialects. Examples include:
Trallalero Trallala, a three-legged whale shark wearing blue sneakers, one of the main characters in Italian brainrot;
Bombardello Crocodello, a bomber plane with a crocodile's head;
Bonica Ambalabo, a tree frog with human legs and a car tire's body;
Brrrr Brr Patapim, a cross between a baboon and a tree;
Trollemaro Trollcina, a hybrid creature combining a cat and a fish.)

How can parents or teachers tell if a child is affected by brain pollution?

I can provide parents and teachers with a practical framework for identifying the symptoms and signs that indicate a child or young person is affected by "digital brain rot," a phenomenon primarily attributed to the excessive and aimless consumption of digital content. This phenomenon results from behavioral addiction to fast-paced content (such as short TikTok videos) that promotes instant gratification, thus altering cognitive brain patterns. These indicators can be divided into three main axes that are easy for educators and parents to observe: Indicators of the impact of "digital mental corruption" on children and adolescents

First: Behavioral and digital indicators (directly observable) These indicators point to unhealthy patterns of digital device use that lead to cognitive decline:
1. Excessive screen time:
2. Engaging in compulsive behaviors:
3. Dependence and addiction:

Second: Cognitive and academic indicators (manifested in academic performance and concentration)
This axis is the most obvious to teachers and parents in the context of learning:
1. Decline in attention and concentration
2. Regression in higher-order thinking skills:
3. Memory and learning problems:
4. Aversion to cognitive activities:
5. A decrease in motivation to complete challenging cognitive tasks.

Third: Emotional, psychological, and social indicators
The phenomenon of "digital corruption" leads to a state of mental exhaustion and cognitive exhaustion:
1. Mental health problems. 2. Social Influence

3. Avoidance of Responsibility and Weak Self-Control
Assistive Measurement Tool (Cognitive Depletion Scale)
To assess the level of influence on a child, measurement tools have been developed for this concept. One study pointed to the development of the Cognitive Depletion Scale (BRS-8), which consists of two main dimensions: "Cognitive Depletion" and "Mental Exhaustion." The statements on this scale include practical indicators that parents and teachers can use as an observation tool, such as:

"I find it difficult to concentrate on other things (like homework, tasks, etc.) because of my constant reading and viewing of digital media content."

"I find focusing on a simple task mentally exhausting."

"I feel mentally exhausted throughout the day, but I continue to watch/read digital content."

Important Note: Researchers point out that this is not a formal medical diagnosis, but rather a colloquial term reflecting cognitive decline associated with excessive digital consumption. It is also observed that Generation Z and Generation Alpha are the most affected by this phenomenon.

Regarding Sudanese children in the post-war period and addressing their exposure abroad!!! TikTok as a model

Addressing the risk of "digital brain corruption" faced by Sudanese children abroad requires a two-pronged strategy: First, protecting their brains from cognitive decline and behavioral addiction through the strict application of "digital cleansing" and "spiritual guidance." Second, addressing the deep-seated causes of their reliance on trivial content—namely, psychological trauma, insecurity, and a lack of routine—by providing strong family and emotional support and integrating them into meaningful educational programs that build their cognitive resilience and critical thinking skills.

Based on the unique challenges of displacement and trauma, organizations and communities abroad should integrate the above solutions with the following interventions:

1. Compensatory educational programs: Creating programs that focus on critical thinking and narrative language (as recommended by research) to compensate for educational disruption and cognitive decline. These programs should be engaging and based on project-based learning, not rote memorization that drives children to seek refuge in screens.

2. Trauma-Informed Care: Any behavioral or educational guidance should address the psychological effects of displacement. Children with chronic anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may struggle to focus or reduce screen time. Counselling services that utilize digital technologies in a therapeutic, rather than recreational, way are recommended.

3. Rebuilding Routines and Security: Displaced children have lost their routines. Families and host communities should help them establish clear daily schedules that integrate limited screen time with academic activities (mental development), physical activities (physical development), and religious/social obligations (spiritual development). Routines foster a sense of security and control.

4. Integrating them into cultural activities: Encouraging children to engage in activities that reinforce their Sudanese cultural identity outside of the screen (such as music, dance, and traditional storytelling) to strengthen their sense of belonging and combat feelings of isolation and alienation.

In conclusion: Addressing the dangers of "digital brain corruption" faced by Sudanese children abroad requires a two-pronged strategy: First, protecting their brains from cognitive decline and behavioral addiction through the strict application of "digital cleansing" and "spiritual guidance." Second, addressing the underlying causes of their reliance on trivial content—namely, psychological trauma, insecurity, and a lack of routine—by providing strong family and emotional support and integrating them into meaningful educational programs that build their cognitive resilience and critical thinking skills.

In conclusion,cognitive exhaustion results from the excessive and aimless consumption of trivial, low-value digital content, especially short-form, fast-paced content.

It leads to cognitive exhaustion, reduced attention span, and a decline in critical and analytical thinking skills.

Effective solutions include strict control. By limiting screen time, practicing "digital detoxification," encouraging non-digital activities to strengthen the mind, and providing family and emotional support (idealization) as a psychological protection factor.

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