The Netherlands opens world's first cinema for people with ADHD — and it's perfect for Gen Z

The one thing people hate in cinemas is when you’re doing anything other than watching the movie, even flinching. The only thing many people can’t do at cinemas is ONLY watch the movie. There is always movement, talking and even more distractions than before. While the issue seems to have us in a loop, the Netherlands came up with a solution: A cinema for people with ADHD, per Houston Eagle. And it’s apparently the perfect concept for Gen Z, who need to check their mobiles every two minutes or just don’t have the attention span to keep watching beyond a short while. A place where you can be yourself, relax without being conscious, and even enjoy the movie. 

Known as “ADHD Cinema,” the space is designed to give people that calm, soothing and serene vibe. It’s not just walking in and scurrying over to find your seat before you get yelled at. The area is spacious and designed with lamps and enough room for a person to feel at ease with themselves. They don’t have to worry about the next person getting elbowed or listening in on their conversations. Glimpses shared by @valorgi capture the warm lighting and the people in their seats, doing whatever they want as the movie plays in the background. Knitting, crocheting, or crafts — it’s their personal space to unwind whilst watching the movie without having to disturb anyone. 

This creation is being praised because we need it now more than ever. According to the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association (ADDA), 2.8% of adults worldwide are experiencing ADHD. Around 360 million cases evolved when they were kids and went undiagnosed, prolonging the condition. In the U.S., 11,000,000 people have ADHD. The best way to manage it is to be calm and relaxed and find therapeutic and soothing activities to train the mind. Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the bestselling book “The Anxious Generation,” noted that to top this, Gen Z is the most anxious of all generations, per The New York Post.

“It started as soon as we all started carrying smartphones and scrolling past anything that contained four seconds of boredom,” he explained. A 27-year-old man named John revealed that this short span of attention has become central in his life. “In class, it can be hard to focus on what the professor is saying for more than a few minutes without checking my phone or opening LinkedIn. It feels like a compulsion,” he noted. The researchers at Griffith University, Australia, analyzed around 71 surveys and revealed that short-form videos, like reels, and social media are mainly responsible for this short span of attention among Gen Z. 

The researchers noted, “Repeated exposure to highly stimulating, fast-paced content may contribute to habituation, in which users become desensitized to slower, more effortful cognitive tasks such as reading, problem solving, or deep learning. This process may [gradually weaken] the brain’s ability to sustain attention on a single task.” While it has a prolonged damaging effect on the youngsters, the ADHD cinema is helping creatively tackle that. With the arrangement done so systematically, there is enough room for creativity, efficient engagement and zero judgment. So people are enjoying their film in a theatre ambiance, only excluding the consciousness and discomfort. A majority are applauding the idea. @joannalorenzo2 said, “Yes, please, I would like a movie theater like this here in Florida.” @brendandlou added, “Now that's a great idea.” @natasav_art remarked, “Moving there asap.”

You can follow @valorgi for more content on entertainment and lifestyle. 

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