How Gen Z Suffers from Shrinking Attention Spans

• The meaning of short attention spans and its effects.
• Reasons why individuals end up suffering from short attention spans.
• The emergence of a new facilitator of shrinking attention spans.
• Ways through which shrinking attention spans can be prevented.

The majority of the tasks that humans partake in require them to maintain attentiveness when performing them. But as creatures with a conscience, our thoughts often wander to places where they are not required at all. A 2010 study revealed that 47 percent of our waking hours are spent thinking of irrelevant stuff. This does not pose a problem as long as one controls where their mind wanders. But in cases where one can’t conjure this control, it poses an issue.

What are Short Attention Spans?

The attention span is the time one is capable of maintaining attention on a task before becoming distracted. It is the limit to which an individual can maintain a required focus on a task. The length of this span can differ from person to person. 

A short attention span is a condition when an individual’s limit to being focused on a task is compromised. It is when one finds it hard to concentrate even after they try. It affects the way one engages with the world and can negatively affect several sectors of a person’s life.

Frequently making mistakes, difficulty focusing on tasks, and managing time are some signs of a short attention span. Attention spans can further shrink due to multiple psychological and physical factors. 

Shrinking attention spans can harm the academic performance of students leading to a compromised mental health.

The Causes of Shrinking Attention Spans

There are many reasons why one might suffer a shrinking attention span. While some reasons are inherently a part of one’s mental structure, others are external.

ADHD

The most common and well known reason for a short attention span is Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. Individuals with ADHD experience restlessness, agitation and irritation when focusing on a task. While some find it hard to concentrate due to experiencing hyperactivity where being occupied with a single task feels constricting.

Depression

Depression is a psychological disorder that causes a person to experience severe levels of feelings of sadness, loss or irritation. Individuals with Depression often lose interest in daily activities due to being occupied with managing the overwhelming feelings they experience. This causes them to lose their ability to concentrate on tasks and often dwell on negative emotions.

Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities like Dyslexia often cause a short attention span as they make tasks like reading, writing and speaking difficult. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a mental health condition caused by experiencing an extremely stressful event. It makes focusing on tasks difficult due to the existence of fight or flight mode in individuals.

Gen Z: Attention Dilemma

In today’s world, Gen Z is most susceptible to shrinking attention spans due to the availability of entertainment to them. The emergence of bite-sized videos such as Reels and Shorts can provide a large amount of information at once. In addition to this, this short form of entertainment causes an individual to get addicted to them. Hours of scrolling through content that provides short-term entertainment causes the dopamine receptors to get fried. In the long term, fried dopamine receptors lead to the shrinking of attention spans.

This also explains why Gen Z, specifically the younger part, struggles to finish movies and books. The same phenomenon is seen in higher intensities with the generation after Gen Z, Gen Alpha. Many teachers report how children’s attention spans seem to deteriorate due to the availability of entertainment. One can conclude that this is a globally faced issue.

How to Improve Short Attention Spans?

Having a short attention span can deteriorate the life quality of individuals. To prevent this, one can do various things without disrupting daily schedules while fostering self-discipline for an improved standard of living

• Dopamine Fasting: Distance oneself from unhealthy digital stimuli, including but not limited to texts, videos, notifications, and more. 
• Chewing Gum: The act of chewing edible gums increases alertness and lowers stress leading to a heightened sense of concentration.
• Meditation: Starting meditation and gradually increasing it over days and weeks can train the brain to focus.
• Exercise: Physical activity keeps an individual aware of their body and surroundings, helping to build the brain’s ability to focus and ensure long-term mental health.

Lacking the ability to work pro efficiently even with a desire and conviction to do so can be mentally taxing. Preventing the shrinking of attention spans is a way an individual can invest in their future. Additionally, people should ensure that they provide ease to those who suffer from shrinking attention spans.