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{{Short description|Poor quality online content}} {{Short description|Slang for poor quality online content}}
{{pp|small=yes}} {{pp|small=yes}}
{{Wiktionary|brain rot}}
In ], '''brain rot''' (or '''brainrot''') describes Internet content deemed to be of low quality or value, or the supposed negative psychological and cognitive effects caused by such material.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Jessica |date=2024-06-13 |title=If You Know What 'Brainrot' Means, You Might Already Have It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/style/brainrot-internet-addiction-social-media-tiktok.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The term also refers to the deleterious effects associated with excessive use of digital media, especially ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why teenagers are deliberately seeking brain rot on TikTok {{!}} Psyche Ideas |url=https://psyche.co/ideas/why-teenagers-are-deliberately-seeking-brain-rot-on-tiktok |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Psyche |language=en}}</ref> and ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scanlan |first=Rebekah |date=December 29, 2024 |title=‘On the rise’: Late-night ritual ruining lives |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/warning-issued-over-brain-rot-the-2024-habit-thats-on-the-rise/news-story/e1205ce0ddd91c63749c8d2bba47a078 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250104153540/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/warning-issued-over-brain-rot-the-2024-habit-thats-on-the-rise/news-story/e1205ce0ddd91c63749c8d2bba47a078 |archive-date=2025-01-04 |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=news.com.au |language=en-GB}}</ref> which may ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yan |first1=Tingting |last2=Su |first2=Conghui |last3=Xue |first3=Weichen |last4=Hu |first4=Yuzheng |last5=Zhou |first5=Hui |date=2024-06-27 |title=Mobile phone short video use negatively impacts attention functions: an EEG study |journal=Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |volume=18 |doi=10.3389/fnhum.2024.1383913 |doi-access=free |issn=1662-5161 |pmc=11236742 |pmid=38993329}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Xie |first1=Jin |last2=Xu |first2=Xinyu |last3=Zhang |first3=Yamei |last4=Tan |first4=Yuxin |last5=Wu |first5=Dazhou |last6=Shi |first6=Mingjian |last7=Huang |first7=Hai |date=2023-12-15 |title=The effect of short-form video addiction on undergraduates' academic procrastination: a moderated mediation model |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |volume=14 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1298361 |doi-access=free |issn=1664-1078 |pmc=10756502 |pmid=38162977}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Linlin |first1=Wang |last2=Wanyu |first2=Huang |last3=Yuting |first3=Li |last4=Huimin |first4=Qiao |last5=Zhi |first5=Li |last6=Qinchen |first6=Jiang |last7=Tingting |first7=Wang |last8=Fan |first8=Wang |last9=Minghao |first9=Pan |last10=Wei |first10=Zhu |date=2023-11-16 |title=Research on the mechanism of short video information interaction behavior of college students with psychological disorders based on grounded theory |journal=BMC Public Health |language=en |volume=23 |issue=1 |page=2256 |doi=10.1186/s12889-023-17211-4 |doi-access=free |issn=1471-2458 |pmc=10652505 |pmid=37974096}}</ref> The term originated within the online cultures of ] and ], but has since become mainstream.<ref name="memes" />


== Origin and usage ==
'''Brain rot''' (or '''brainrot''') is a slang term used to describe internet content of low quality or value, or negative effects (psychological, cognitive, etc.) caused by it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Jessica |date=2024-06-13 |title=If You Know What 'Brainrot' Means, You Might Already Have It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/style/brainrot-internet-addiction-social-media-tiktok.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As a psychological descriptor, it implies the spending of excessive amounts of time spent online, with possible deterioration in ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-10 |title=Brain Rot: The Impact on Young Adult Mental Health |url=https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/co-occurring-disorders/brain-rot/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Newport Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> The term has been used online as early as 2004, but rose in popularity in 2023, having become an internet meme.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is 'brain rot'? Do you have it? |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/what-is-brain-rot-do-you-have-it/39fexbr4u |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref>
According to '']'', the first recorded use of the term traces back to the 1854 book '']'' by ].<ref name=woty/><ref></ref> Thoreau was criticizing what he saw as a decline in intellectual standards, with complex ideas being less highly regarded, and compared this to the ].<ref name="memes">{{cite web |last=Rufo |first=Yasmin |year=2024 |title=Losing your mind looking at memes? The dictionary has a word for that |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2n2r695nzo |website=] |publisher=}}</ref>


The term brainrot is often used to describe ]'s ] by those who see the generation as being ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=North |first=Anna |date=2024-09-05 |title=iPad kids speak up |url=https://www.vox.com/life/369953/skibidi-tweens-gen-alpha-brainrot-ipad-kids |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref> This includes slang associated with the generation, examples being "]" (referring to '']''), "]" (short for charisma), "]" (referring to one's ]), and "]" (act of stealing food).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-10 |title=Parents and Gen Alpha kids are having unintelligible convos because of ‘brainrot’ language |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/gen-alpha-kids-parents-brainrot-language-rcna162227 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Australian politician ] incorporated Gen Alpha slang into her speech, which was written by younger staff member Ezra Isma, leading it to be called "brainrot".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weedston |first=Lindsey |date=2024-09-13 |title=Fatima Payman Gen Z Slang Speech Declared 'Brainrot' |url=https://www.dailydot.com/memes/fatima-payman-gen-z-slang-speech/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref> In online settings, it was used as early as 2004. In 2007, the term "brain rot" was used by ] users to describe ]s, video games and "hanging out online".<ref name="sbs">{{Cite web |last=Prema |first=Shivé |date=8 February 2024 |title=What is 'brain rot'? Do you have it? |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/what-is-brain-rot-do-you-have-it/39fexbr4u |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref> Usage of the phrase increased online in the 2010s before becoming rapidly more popular in 2020 on ], when it became an ].<ref name="sbs" /> In 2024, it is most frequently used in the context of ]'s digital habits, by critics expressing that the generation is "]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=North |first=Anna |date=2024-09-05 |title=iPad kids speak up |url=https://www.vox.com/life/369953/skibidi-tweens-gen-alpha-brainrot-ipad-kids |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Vox |language=en-US}}</ref> It is commonly associated with an individual's vocabulary consisting exclusively of internet references.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Jessica |date=June 13, 2024 |title=If You Know What 'Brainrot' Means, You Might Already Have It |website=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/style/brainrot-internet-addiction-social-media-tiktok.html }}</ref> From 2023 to 2024, Oxford reported the term's usage increased by 230% in frequency per million words.<ref name=memes/><ref name=woty /> Linguist Brent Henderson predicted that the term will stay around, citing its memorability and relevance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanes |first=Aileyahu |date=2024-12-30 |title=UF professor weighs in on Oxford’s word of the year: brain rot |url=https://www.wuft.org/florida-good/2024-12-30/uf-professor-weighs-in-on-oxfords-word-of-the-year-brain-rot |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=WUFT {{!}} News and public media for north central Florida |language=en}}</ref>

The term is often linked with slang and trends popular among Generation Alpha and Generation Z, such as "skibidi" (a reference to the YouTube shorts series '']''), "]" (charm), "]" (referring to the buttocks), "]" (stealing food), "]" (referring to a leader or alpha male), and "]" (truncation of delusional).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-10 |title=Parents and Gen Alpha kids are having unintelligible convos because of 'brainrot' language |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/gen-alpha-kids-parents-brainrot-language-rcna162227 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Some online content are commonly labelled "brainrot", such as the web series '']''.<ref name="woty" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Press-Reynolds |first=Kieran |date=25 June 2024 |title=How brainrot humour infected the internet with surreal gibberish |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/62947/1/how-brainrot-humour-infected-the-internet-with-surreal-gibberish-tiktok-skibidi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626103639/https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/62947/1/how-brainrot-humour-infected-the-internet-with-surreal-gibberish-tiktok-skibidi |archive-date=26 June 2024 |access-date=26 June 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>

==Impact==
The term was named ] in 2024, beating other words like '']'' and '']''.<ref name="memes" /><ref name="woty">{{cite web |author= |date=2 December 2024 |title='Brain rot' named Oxford Word of the Year 2024 |url=https://corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |website=] |publisher= |location=Oxford}}</ref> Its modern usage is defined by the '']'' as "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging".<ref name="memes" />

In the same year, ] Australian senator ] made headlines by making a short speech to the ] using Generation Alpha slang. She introduced the speech as addressing "an oft-forgotten section of our society", referring to Generations Z and Alpha, and said that she would "render the remainder of my statement using language they're familiar with".<ref>{{cite web |title='Skibidi': Payman opposes social age limit in speech to gen Z and gen Alpha |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQi9uFPEOWY |website=YouTube |access-date=13 November 2024 |date=11 September 2024}}</ref> Using slang terms, Payman criticised the government's plans to ban under-14s from social media and closed by saying that, "Though some of you cannot yet vote, I hope that, when you do, it will be in a more goated Australia for a government with more aura. Skibidi!"<ref name="dd">{{Cite web |last=Weedston |first=Lindsey |date=2024-09-13 |title=Fatima Payman Gen Z Slang Speech Declared 'Brainrot' |url=https://www.dailydot.com/memes/fatima-payman-gen-z-slang-speech/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref> The speech, written by a 21-year-old staff member, was labeled by some as an example of "brainrot" outside the online world.<ref name="dd"/>


== See also == == See also ==
* {{annotated link|Digital media use and mental health}}
⚫ * ]
* ], a YouTube controversy
⚫ * ]
* {{annotated link|Enshittification}}
* {{section link|Content farm|Social media content farms}}
* {{annotated link|Glossary of Generation Z slang}}
* ]
⚫ * {{annotated link|Low culture}}
⚫ * {{annotated link|Shitposting}}
* {{annotated link|Sludge content}}
* {{annotated link|Slop (artificial intelligence)}}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


⚫ ]
] ]
⚫ ]
]
]
]




{{Portal bar|humor|internet}}
{{Internet-stub}}

Latest revision as of 06:11, 21 January 2025

Slang for poor quality online content

In Internet culture, brain rot (or brainrot) describes Internet content deemed to be of low quality or value, or the supposed negative psychological and cognitive effects caused by such material. The term also refers to the deleterious effects associated with excessive use of digital media, especially short-form entertainment and doomscrolling, which may affect cognitive and mental health. The term originated within the online cultures of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, but has since become mainstream.

Origin and usage

According to Oxford University Press, the first recorded use of the term traces back to the 1854 book Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau was criticizing what he saw as a decline in intellectual standards, with complex ideas being less highly regarded, and compared this to the 1840s "potato rot" in Europe.

In online settings, it was used as early as 2004. In 2007, the term "brain rot" was used by Twitter users to describe dating game shows, video games and "hanging out online". Usage of the phrase increased online in the 2010s before becoming rapidly more popular in 2020 on Discord, when it became an Internet meme. In 2024, it is most frequently used in the context of Generation Alpha's digital habits, by critics expressing that the generation is "excessively immersed in online culture". It is commonly associated with an individual's vocabulary consisting exclusively of internet references. From 2023 to 2024, Oxford reported the term's usage increased by 230% in frequency per million words. Linguist Brent Henderson predicted that the term will stay around, citing its memorability and relevance.

The term is often linked with slang and trends popular among Generation Alpha and Generation Z, such as "skibidi" (a reference to the YouTube shorts series Skibidi Toilet), "rizz" (charm), "gyatt" (referring to the buttocks), "fanum tax" (stealing food), "sigma" (referring to a leader or alpha male), and "delulu" (truncation of delusional). Some online content are commonly labelled "brainrot", such as the web series Skibidi Toilet.

Impact

The term was named Oxford Word of the Year in 2024, beating other words like demure and romantasy. Its modern usage is defined by the Oxford University Press as "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging".

In the same year, millennial Australian senator Fatima Payman made headlines by making a short speech to the Australian parliament using Generation Alpha slang. She introduced the speech as addressing "an oft-forgotten section of our society", referring to Generations Z and Alpha, and said that she would "render the remainder of my statement using language they're familiar with". Using slang terms, Payman criticised the government's plans to ban under-14s from social media and closed by saying that, "Though some of you cannot yet vote, I hope that, when you do, it will be in a more goated Australia for a government with more aura. Skibidi!" The speech, written by a 21-year-old staff member, was labeled by some as an example of "brainrot" outside the online world.

See also

References

  1. Roy, Jessica (2024-06-13). "If You Know What 'Brainrot' Means, You Might Already Have It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  2. "Why teenagers are deliberately seeking brain rot on TikTok | Psyche Ideas". Psyche. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  3. Scanlan, Rebekah (December 29, 2024). "'On the rise': Late-night ritual ruining lives". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  4. Yan, Tingting; Su, Conghui; Xue, Weichen; Hu, Yuzheng; Zhou, Hui (2024-06-27). "Mobile phone short video use negatively impacts attention functions: an EEG study". Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 18. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2024.1383913. ISSN 1662-5161. PMC 11236742. PMID 38993329.
  5. Xie, Jin; Xu, Xinyu; Zhang, Yamei; Tan, Yuxin; Wu, Dazhou; Shi, Mingjian; Huang, Hai (2023-12-15). "The effect of short-form video addiction on undergraduates' academic procrastination: a moderated mediation model". Frontiers in Psychology. 14. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1298361. ISSN 1664-1078. PMC 10756502. PMID 38162977.
  6. Linlin, Wang; Wanyu, Huang; Yuting, Li; Huimin, Qiao; Zhi, Li; Qinchen, Jiang; Tingting, Wang; Fan, Wang; Minghao, Pan; Wei, Zhu (2023-11-16). "Research on the mechanism of short video information interaction behavior of college students with psychological disorders based on grounded theory". BMC Public Health. 23 (1): 2256. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17211-4. ISSN 1471-2458. PMC 10652505. PMID 37974096.
  7. ^ Rufo, Yasmin (2024). "Losing your mind looking at memes? The dictionary has a word for that". BBC.
  8. ^ "'Brain rot' named Oxford Word of the Year 2024". Oxford University Press. Oxford. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  9. Social media, brain rot and the slow death of reading - Financial Times
  10. ^ Prema, Shivé (8 February 2024). "What is 'brain rot'? Do you have it?". SBS News. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  11. North, Anna (2024-09-05). "iPad kids speak up". Vox. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  12. Roy, Jessica (June 13, 2024). "If You Know What 'Brainrot' Means, You Might Already Have It". The New York Times.
  13. Shanes, Aileyahu (2024-12-30). "UF professor weighs in on Oxford's word of the year: brain rot". WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  14. "Parents and Gen Alpha kids are having unintelligible convos because of 'brainrot' language". NBC News. 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  15. Press-Reynolds, Kieran (25 June 2024). "How brainrot humour infected the internet with surreal gibberish". Dazed. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  16. "'Skibidi': Payman opposes social age limit in speech to gen Z and gen Alpha". YouTube. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  17. ^ Weedston, Lindsey (2024-09-13). "Fatima Payman Gen Z Slang Speech Declared 'Brainrot'". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 2024-09-16.


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