Sentinel Digital Desk
Oxford has named 'brain rot' as the Word of the Year for 2024. The term reflects growing concerns about the mental effects of excessive online content consumption.
What is 'Brain Rot'?
Oxford defines 'brain rot' as the deterioration of mental or intellectual health, often caused by overexposure to trivial or unchallenging online material, especially social media.
The term 'brain rot' was first recorded in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau's Walden. It has recently regained attention for describing modern digital habits.
Why Was It Chosen?
The word saw a 230% increase in usage between 2023 and 2024, reflecting societal concerns about the effects of endlessly scrolling through low-quality online content.
'Brain rot' gained traction on TikTok and among Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities, later spreading to mainstream media as conversations about screen time and mental health grew.