Many today feel that attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many today feel that attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media.
Is the reducing duration of focus due to engagement with social media?
Agree. Why? Justify
The rich mix of audio and visual media and abundance of material is addictive and tends to lure users, taking them away from their tasks.
The short tenure videos tend to keep people glued for only sometime: this becomes a habit and people find it hard to pay attention to their work in other walks of life
The algorithms used by social media present targeted content, which tends to lure people away from other work
The frequent pop-ups develop a habit of looking the other way
Disagree. Why? Justify
Lack of attention is personal trait and not fueled by social media
In contemporary times, for longer durations has become a matter of concern, and many attribute this to the advent of social media, but this notion is challenged by others. The following paragraphs shall analyze this matter critically and share a logical conclusion.
Introduction 2:
Is the shrinking duration of focus an outcome of influence of social media, or not, is a matter that is profoundly debated since some accept it, others reject it.
Introduction 3:
It is a common perception that the shrinking duration of focus is the impact of social media. This notion courts controversy as some challenge its validity.
Those supporting this statement propose that social media is the primary source of the declining periods of focus on anything owing to the addictive content that is loaded/ laden with a rich mix of graphics and sound, and tends to lure the users who find it equally exciting because of their academic and professional schedules. Moreover, websites supporting social communication track the browsing habits of individuals and present pop-ups to complement their interests. This practice is designed to persuade people to immediately access content and ignore other tasks.
Similarly, this propensity is being bolstered by short duration videos, brief messages, and single picture content being loaded on platforms such as youtube, twitter, instagram, and telegram, to name a few. When one accesses such presentations, they gradually become habitual of paying attention only for a while, and moving to the next thereafter. To corroborate, a study by psychologists supports this development; it suggests that social media sites prepare short span content to stretch engagement. Consequently, ignorant users embrace the habit of giving a cursory look and moving on since boredom sets in quickly.
Nevertheless, those unconvinced with this evolution affecting focus duration suggest being unable to pay attention for long is an innate trait, or propelled by intention to negotiate multiple tasks. These habits existed even in the times when social networking sites were not there, and modern technology is a mere distraction.
Overall, even though this perception is augmented (supported) by concrete reasons, one cannot ignore the natural instincts and proclivity to one not being able to focus for long. Thus, I partially subscribe to this statement.
