Oxford University names ‘brain rot’ as 2024 word of the year

The University of Oxford has named ‘brain rot’ as its word of the year for 2024. The term describes the perceived deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, often attributed to the excessive consumption of low-quality or unstimulating online content.

Usage of the term increased by 230% between 2023 and 2024. Examples of such content include viral video series like ‘Skibidi Toilet’ and various internet memes.

Researchers, including Mustafa Gül from Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam University, have noted symptoms associated with this phenomenon, such as spending excessive hours in front of screens, anxiety when away from mobile devices, and a decreased ability to focus on meaningful activities. These trends pose potential risks to cognitive health, particularly among adolescents.