'Brain Rot' Named Oxford Word of the Year 2024.

Awards

The Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 has been announced as 'brain rot', following a public vote with over 37,000 participants. The term 'brain rot' is defined as the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state due to overconsumption of trivial or unchallenging online content. The usage of 'brain rot' increased by 230% between 2023 and 2024, highlighting societal concerns about the impact of excessive consumption of low-quality online content, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok. Initially used in Henry David Thoreau's 1854 book "Walden," the term has found new relevance in the digital age, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha communities. It describes both the low-quality content and its perceived negative impact on mental health. The term has also been used humorously within online communities to describe nonsensical or embarrassing content. The selection of 'brain rot' reflects the growing awareness and discourse around the potential negative effects of digital content consumption on mental health, particularly among younger generations.


      - Defined as the deterioration of mental state due to overconsumption of trivial online content.

      - Term originally used in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau.

     

 

     


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