Oxford University Press has announced ‘brain rot’ as its Word of the Year for 2024, a choice that underscores growing societal concerns about the adverse effects of excessive social media usage and the prevalence of low-quality content online.
The term received over 37,000 votes, reflecting a collective apprehension about the potential decline in mental capacity attributed to the consumption of trivial digital material.
Its adoption speaks volumes about the zeitgeist, as users across the globe grapple with the psychological toll of an increasingly virtual world.
While "brain rot" traces its origins to 1854, its modern-day resonance has been amplified by the younger demographics of Generation Z and Generation Alpha, who have popularised the phrase in online conversations and cultural lexicon.
This recognition not only highlights the evolving language landscape but also serves as a stark reminder of the societal challenges posed by the digital age.
