Thinking is becoming a luxury as students are fed 'mental junk food,' professor explains

When was the last time you wrote a caption for your photos without asking ChatGPT for help? Most wouldn't even remember when, and that's because we've surrendered ourselves to the technologies. We're no longer controlling them; instead, we've become their slaves. In fact, thinking has become a luxury good, said Katina Bajaj (@katina.bajaj), a creative health scientist. In a video posted on November 24, she explained how students, addicted to their phones, are constantly fed "mental junk food."

She said everyone is born with the ability to be creative, think critically, and engage in long-form conversations, but we have literally forgotten to exercise our creative brains. Bajaj mentioned that research has apparently shown that kids in low-income households are spending 50% more time on screens than their wealthy peers. This continues through their adulthood, also, she added. Moreover, she shared that the top 20% of earners are twice as likely to read books regularly. Next, Bajaj said people should consistently exercise their creative health to strengthen it. "And the more time we spend on screens, the less time we're spending exercising our creative brain. Brené Brown, a research professor, author, and speaker, also talked about it in a podcast with Steven Bartlett. Bajaj was impressed by how she simplified the concept. In the podcast, she mentioned Steve Jobs was once asked if his kids loved iPads, and he said they didn't even have one.

"His biographer, who spent time with his family, said he wasn't kidding. There's no technology. At dinner, they are talking about art and history," Brown shared. She had also mentioned an emerging group of people who, despite distractions, are actively wanting to exercise their creativity. Bajaj praised them and said they understand that creativity isn't only an important skill for success, but also for mental well-being. "They are making sure that their kids have access to it while selling us the complete opposite, so it's time to take our power back," she added.

Kids become so addicted to the screens that for every little inconvenience, they turn to gadgets to escape reality. "Children are spending more and more time on screens, for everything from entertainment to homework to messaging friends. We found that increased screen time can lead to emotional and behavioral problems, and kids with those problems often turn to screens to cope," Michael Noetel, PhD, an associate professor in the School of Psychology at Queensland University, said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the video, @global.citizen.astro wrote, "This makes so much sense, and it’s so sad. I think a huge thing that people don’t talk about is also the unfortunate reality that is the lack of childcare coming into play and parents who work from home being forced to use screens to keep kids from disrupting them while they are trying to work." Similarly,  @gracekimama said, "It is totally true, I see this becoming more prevalent as more people are becoming dependent on technology for their stimuli. It is insanely scary!"

@_thelifeofbritney commented, "This is why those of us with the time, energy, and resources need to fight to preserve educational access for the less fortunate. Protect libraries, public schools, and the people called to educate and nurture our younger generations. They will come to care for us as we did for them... how will that look when every program is defunded, politicized, and turned into bargaining chips for people wanting to control the narrative?" @karlynpercil commented, "The key is to keep reminding each other that we are all creatives. Let’s keep engaging each other from our creative selves and expressions."

You can follow Katina Bajaj (@katina.bajaj) on Instagram for lifestyle content.

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