Teens and Screens: How Social Media is Rewiring Our Brains

In the age of smartphones, social media, and streaming, screens are everywhere. Whether it’s scrolling on TikTok instead of doing homework, checking texts during lunch, or binge watching a new show before bed, high school students are spending more time on screens than ever before. So, the question becomes: How is this excessive screen time affecting our ability to focus?

Although the widely circulated myth that the average human attention span is shorter than a goldfish’s has been debunked, research by psychologist Dr. Gloria Mark shows that our attention spans have significantly declined in the recent decades, shrinking by nearly 70% since the early 2000s ("Why our attention spans are shrinking, with Gloria Mark, PhD"). Experts point the blame at the rise of short-form content, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Youtube Shorts thriving on quick, flashy videos. Personally, I have found the constant stream of new content makes it increasingly difficult to focus on tasks that require sustained mental effort, like studying or taking notes. 

Many other students at Needham share the concern that social media has negatively impacted their ability to concentrate. For some, the issue goes beyond schoolwork: it affects how they consume the very content that is contributing to this lack of focus. “I can’t even sit through a 30-second video without speeding it up,” said one sophomore. “If it’s not moving fast enough or maintaining a grasp on my attention, I get bored and scroll away.” This type of behavior reflects a growing trend among students who are becoming aware of how their brains are adapting, or even struggling, in an age of constant digital gratification. Many students report that staying concentrated on tasks like reading, writing, or even holding a conversation has become much more challenging. 

Junior Isabel Montzka shared her own experience with attention and phone use: “When I put my phone somewhere out of sight and out of reach while I’m doing homework, I can actually focus. If I have my phone next to me, I’ll check it every few minutes without even thinking about it.” This growing self-awareness among students may even highlight a deeper concern: that the very tools designed to keep us connected may be interfering with our ability to think deeply and stay present. As more teens recognize the impact of their digital habits, some are beginning to take small steps, like turning off their notifications or setting screen limits, to regain control of their focus in a distracted and hectic world.