How is TikTok Impacting Our Ability to Focus?

In the early 2000s, Dr Gloria Mark and her team tracked people while they used an electronic device and noted each time their focus shifted to something new, which came out on average at 2.5 minutes. More recent repeats of that experiment, the average has decreased to about 47 seconds (Time Magazine, 2023).

The cause of this decrease is quite clear, our increasing dependence (and addiction) to smartphones and more specifically, social media. 

The TikTok Phenomenon

With over 150 million users in the United States alone, TikTok has reshaped how we consume media. This audience predominantly consists of younger people, which has prompted concerns about the platform (along with its links to the Chinese government). As all of you will already know, these concerns have lead to US president Joe Biden signing a bill that will lead to a ban of the platform if ByteDance (TikToks holding company) does not sell the platform within one year. TikTok's algorithm, designed to capture and retain attention, delivers a continuous stream of short-form videos that often leads users down a rabbit hole of endless scrolling.

The Appeal and Perils of Short-Form Content

While TikTok, Instragam and other similar platforms offer quick entertainment and the ability to rapidly disseminate information, they also come with significant risks. The brevity of content on these platforms caters to the decreased attention spans we have referenced at the beginning of this newsletter but does not encourage deeper engagement or critical thinking. This can result in a superficial understanding of complex issues and a reduced capacity to concentrate for prolonged periods.

So what are the implications?

The societal implications are profound. In schools and colleges, students may find it challenging to engage with lengthy texts or maintain concentration during extended periods of study (something that many concerned teachers have tried to raise awareness about). In the workplace, the constant interruptions from social media notifications can severely hamper productivity and focus. Socially, the preference for brief interactions can undermine meaningful personal connections and communication.

What can we do today to improve and maintain our attention spans

On an individual level:

• Digital Detoxes: Regular intervals away from digital devices can help individuals reset their attention spans and reduce dependency on social media.

• Mindful Media Consumption: Being conscious of the type and amount of media consumed can encourage healthier habits. Setting specific times for using platforms like TikTok can help regulate its use (most smartphones allow you to set daily app limits, grayscale mode is also something I personally use!)

• Focus Training: Techniques such as meditation and concentration exercises can strengthen attention spans and improve mental resilience.

• The above are just some measures you could take today, but find out what works for you as everyone is different! 

On a societal level, it is a little more of a challenge. It depends on personal views on whether this is a problem the government or the private sector should fix or is it purely down to the individual. 

From our research, there does not seem to be a widespread opinion on how to solve it, what do you think? - reach out to [email protected] with any thoughts!

What else is happening in the world of tech?

Get live updates from Apples ‘Let Loose’ event, where the company is announcing many new products such as the new iPad, pencils and magic keyboard.

The Arizona summer may be too hot for Amazons delivery drones. The company announced that the drones can’t operate at above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fitting in with the topic of todays newsletter - Bytedance has announced that it is suing the US Federal Court with the intention to block the law stating that they must sell TikTok or risk the platform being banned in the US.