“Goldfish effect” or “Goldfish effect”; It is a term that describes how short our attention span is, referring to goldfish having a very short attention span.

This situation, which arises in connection with the change in our lifestyle, causes many of us to experience ADHD, even if we are not aware of it or even if it is small-scale. (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) The owner did it!

As our average attention span has decreased over time, we have become smaller than a goldfish!

Attention span of the average person 13 years apart The following results were obtained during measurement:

• Year 2000: 12 seconds
• Year 2013: 8 seconds

8 seconds, shorter than the attention span of a goldfish It meant!

So what is the reason for this decline in our attention level?

In this digitalizing world where we can access all kinds of information or entertainment sources with one click, “instant gratification” We’ve gotten quite used to the feeling. We have access to everything we want, whenever we want. It’s like the world is at your fingertips.

Of course, this situation also has negative consequences. Researchers, the way we use the internet He is concerned that this is having a serious impact on our attention spans. Many of us cannot concentrate on a single task. We can’t watch a movie for 1.5-2 hours without doing something else.

The ‘multitasking’ feature in our technological devices, especially phones, has made us accustomed to doing everything at the same time and reducing our concentration time.

Think of your phone’s screen; You will receive notifications from multiple platforms nearby or at the same time, you choose to open Instagram, when the homepage opens, you will see posts, stories as well as incoming message notifications. While you’re there, check out a post, Meanwhile, another message from above It comes and you start thinking about it… We can go on with these examples, but you already understand what we mean.

Short content such as TikTok and Reels; It brought the situation to an even more dire point.

As our time to tolerate long content decreased, we were presented with shorter and shorter content. Similar in the form of supply and demand We triggered each other. With every short content offered, we wanted even shorter content.

Finally; Sometimes for a few seconds, such as TikTok, Reels or YouTube Shorts, 1-2 minutes if we can tolerate it We have become accustomed to the content. As the duration of the content increased, our concentration decreased!

In brief; We process more information faster with short bursts of high attention.

The unlimited information at our disposal and the content that gives us short-term pleasure causes our attention level to increase in those few seconds of content and decrease a few seconds later. Unfortunately, as we get used to this, Our attention span will decrease as we go along resembling.

What can we do to prevent it?

• We try to re-consume the content we like (movie, TV series, book, etc.) and in the meantime Not be affected by other stimulants we can work. We can then replace the ingredients with those we will consume for the first time.
• We can limit our use of social media. We reduce the content we like when we really need it We can try to use it.
• Duration of content gradually increase we can get used to watching or reading them.