Oxford's 2024 Word of the Year: 'Brain Rot' Captures Social Media's Impact

TL;DR Summary
The Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 is 'brain rot,' a term reflecting concerns about the mental impact of consuming excessive low-quality online content, particularly on social media. The term, which saw a 230% increase in usage, is popular among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, often used humorously to describe trivial content. It highlights societal worries about digital consumption's effects on mental health, especially in youth, and continues the conversation about the influence of internet culture on language and society.
- ‘Brain rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024 Oxford University Press
- Losing your mind looking at memes? The dictionary has a word for that Yahoo Life
- ‘Brain rot’: Oxford word of the year 2024 reflects ‘trivial’ use of social media The Guardian
- Oxford names "Brain Rot" Word of the Year The A.V. Club
- Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year Is… The New York Times
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