How can prolonged online engagement reduce attention span?

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How can prolonged online engagement reduce attention span?

Asked on Jan 07, 2026

Answer

Prolonged online engagement can lead to a reduced attention span by constantly bombarding the brain with information, which can make it difficult to focus on one task for an extended period. This constant switching between tasks and absorbing new information can strain your cognitive resources, leading to shorter attention spans.

Example Explanation: When you spend long periods online, especially with activities like social media scrolling or multitasking between apps, your brain gets used to processing quick bursts of information. This can make it harder to concentrate on longer, more demanding tasks because your attention is trained to expect constant, rapid changes.

Additional Comment:

Consider setting specific times for checking emails and social media to minimize interruptions.
Practice focusing on one task at a time to rebuild your attention span.
Incorporate regular breaks to rest your mind and reduce cognitive overload.

✅ Answered with digital wellbeing best practices.

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