We were promised a song of the summer. Instead, we got brain rot summer — a handful of TikTok earworms, Coldplaygate chatter, and not much else. The monoculture, already limping, flatlined in 2025.

See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. If you've ever felt like endless scrolling was melting your brain, ...

Emerging research suggests overusing digital devices can be harmful, especially to mental health. But does being overly ...

The term “brain rot” dates back to Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book Walden,but in the digital age, it has become Oxford University Press’ 2024 Word of the Year. With people averaging nearly seven hours ...

A resurfaced video of legendary astronomer Carl Sagan from a 1977 appearance on The Tonight Show is sparking crucial conversations, offering profound insights amidst widespread concerns about ...

In case you missed it, the 2024 word was “brain rot.” Since 2004, the Oxford English Dictionary has chosen a “word of the year.” This word conveys a summary point of that particular span of time. It ...

Books to inspire you in 2026: As readers increasingly turn to books not just for motivation but for clarity and long-term direction, a growing list of titles is being described as less aspirational ...

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work ...

If you scrolled through Twitter (or X) in the last few years, you might remember "brain rot" as a jab used to critique Gen Alpha's digital habits. The term was shorthand for spending too much time ...

Data from Gallup and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Americans are reading fewer books and spending less time reading than ever. Books vs. Brain Rot: why it's so hard to read Data from Gallup ...