PASSING TRENDS AND ATTENTION SPANS

Just like the seasons, trends are always changing. It seems as if social media trends have become prominent in every environment; school, work, or just out in the world. With the number of viral moments migrating into our lives, our attention spans can struggle to keep up with it all. Online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube showcase short form content, aiming to attract new viewers.

PHONES IN THE POCKETS DURING CLASS TIME IN MARISSA MOORE'S ROOM; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

The Science Behind It All

In 2025, a researcher from the University of Michigan named Alina Poles conducted a study showing a correlation between overuse of social media and shrinking attention spans. Participants that had more than 3 hours on social media sites, mainly Tiktok and Snapchat, showed signs of having shorter attention spans, fragmented memory recall, and feelings of overstimulation.

Users with 1-2 hours of social media showed more working memory, focus, and emotional stability. Another topic that emerged during this study was multitasking while using social media. Attempting to multitask while using social media can impair brain processes by making prioritization and remembering things difficult.

PIE CHART DEPICTING CLEAR CREEK AMANA HIGH SCHOOL'S AVERAGE SCREEN TIME; GRAPHIC BY LILI NANDELL

Survey Data

A survey was sent out to the students of CCA and garnered 137 responses. Of the 137, 122 responders or about 90% admitted to consuming some type of short form content, with only 10% answering no. When asked about average screen time, roughly 45% of people responded with less than 2 hours, and about 50% had over 3 hours. 5 respondents answered that they had inconsistent screen times or were unsure. Lastly, participants were asked if they thought the use of short form content was affecting their attention span. 58% of students answered that they did indeed think that it was affecting their attention span. 34% responded with no, they did not think it was affecting them. About 8% responded that they didn’t care or that they felt it was affecting them, but they could stop whenever they wanted.

What Does This Mean for Our Generation? 

Whether we think that social media has impacted our attention spans or not, it's important to be aware of how we manage our media consumption. In a world dominated by social media, it can be hard to maintain a healthy status with these apps. Taking breaks and finding other forms of entertainment is an essential part of maintaining your wellbeing.