A Decaying Internet May Harm our Brains

You’re Not Imagining Things: The Internet is indeed getting worse, according to a recent paper published in Ethics and Information Technology. There’s a name for this decline: ensh@!tification. (You read that correctly.) What’s more? It’s affecting our brains — and not in a good way.

The Paper: “Ensh@!tification” is a slang term referring to the decline in quality of platforms and apps as they become more widely used, often due to an increase in cost, ads, or new features. The paper’s authors argue these platforms serve as a “cognitive extension” to help us perform other cognitive tasks. An example: We use Google to find information, which helps us to work, write, plan, remember, and more. But if the Google search returns mostly ads or inaccurate AI content, this affects our ability to perform those tasks well. 

The Takeaway: The decay begins to cause cracks in what the authors call our “cognitive scaffolds,” as a platform’s previous incarnation and user experience are often usurped by poorer-quality content, which can affect our focus, memory, and attention — but also keeps us craving more of it.

Keep In Mind: We can’t stop ensh@!tification, but we can limit its effects: using our phones less, spending time in nature, and cultivating brain-engaging hobbies, like reading, playing music, or painting.