Have Screens Quietly Changed the Way We Think?

Have Screens Quietly Changed the Way We Think?

Recently, I came across the heartfelt reflections of a young woman whose words were both honest and unsettling. She shared something that many people may secretly feel but struggle to admit.

She said:
“I feel like I’ve become stupid. Every day I feel as though I’m getting less intelligent.”

This was not someone who had always struggled academically. On the contrary, she described herself as someone who had excelled throughout her life. She studied neuroscience and had always been considered exceptionally bright.

When she recently watched videos of herself from her university years, she was shocked.

Although she was much younger then, she felt that she had once been far more articulate, thoughtful, and intellectually sharp.

She reflected that her speech had once been eloquent and expressive. She could communicate complex ideas with ease, engage in meaningful discussions, and naturally use rich vocabulary. Today, however, she finds herself searching for simple words, struggling to express her thoughts, and feeling that her mind no longer works the way it once did.
With deep concern, she wondered whether years of constant screen exposure had played a role in this change.

She spoke about research exploring the possible relationship between excessive digital media use and changes in attention, memory, and cognitive performance.

While these concerns deserve careful scientific study, many researchers agree that heavy screen use, particularly endless scrolling and constant digital stimulation, can negatively affect focus, sustained attention, and deep thinking.

She admitted:
“I can no longer sit and write an article like I used to. Instead, I find myself endlessly scrolling through TikTok.”

She also made an important observation:

Intelligence is not something we can take for granted. Like a muscle, the mind needs regular exercise. It grows through reading, reflection, meaningful conversations, solving problems, learning new skills, and embracing intellectual challenges.

When these are replaced by hours of passive scrolling, our ability to concentrate and think deeply may gradually weaken.
Interestingly, she clarified that she does not rely on AI tools to complete her work.

Yet she still feels that the sheer amount of time she spends on her phone has affected her ability to think clearly. She also expressed concern that when people depend entirely on AI to think, write, or communicate for them, they may miss valuable opportunities to develop and exercise their own minds.

Perhaps even more striking than her story were the responses from thousands of others. Many shared similar experiences—finding it harder to remember things, struggling to concentrate, feeling less motivated to read books, or noticing that their attention span had become much shorter.

Some students admitted they no longer knew how to study without constant digital distractions. Others simply wished they had never become so attached to their screens.

While personal experiences do not prove cause and effect, they do remind us to reflect on our own habits and to consider whether technology is serving us, or whether we have begun serving it.
As parents, educators, and caregivers, this conversation is especially important.

Children’s brains are still developing, and healthy habits formed during these years can have lifelong effects. Screens are not inherently harmful, and technology offers many wonderful benefits when used wisely. However, balance, boundaries, and intentional use are essential.

Perhaps it is time for all of us to pause and ask ourselves:

How much of my day is spent on a screen?
Am I reading, reflecting, and learning as much as I once did?
Have my attention span and memory changed?

Am I modelling healthy digital habits for my children?

Technology is a powerful tool—but like any tool, it should remain in our hands, not take hold of our minds.