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2 clusters · 6 sources · 27 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 14 days ago

German experts advocate attention retraining

Overview

German researchers continue to warn that short‑form social‑media content, frequent smartphone alerts and a culture of instant information erode sustained focus. Psychologists Cordula Nussbaum and neuroscientist Henning Beck argue that the brain is now conditioned to expect interruptions every few minutes, making uninterrupted work feel restless. They maintain that attention can be relearned through deliberate training and routine changes.

In a July 2026 interview, Nussbaum and Beck reiterated their earlier recommendations, emphasizing concrete screen‑free windows such as avoiding the phone first thing in the morning and after brushing teeth, banning devices from the dining room, and handling e‑mail only on a computer. They also stress disabling non‑essential notifications, focusing on single, continuous activities, and substituting digital consumption with analog alternatives like printed magazines or books. Their guidance targets anyone feeling overwhelmed by digital interruptions and aims to rebuild long‑term concentration and a sense of accomplishment.

Entities

Cordula Nussbaum · Sauerlach · Henning Beck · Frankfurt am Main

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 4 SOURCES] People have lost the ability to focus for long periods in recent years.
[● 4 SOURCES] The modern media landscape, especially social media and smartphones, is the main cause of reduced attention spans.
[● 4 SOURCES] The brain has become accustomed to receiving stimuli every few minutes, otherwise it becomes restless.
[● 4 SOURCES] Attention focused on smartphones feels like attention but is ultimately unfulfilling.
[● 4 SOURCES] Deliberate training and new routines can improve focus.
[● 4 SOURCES] Establishing screen‑free periods, such as avoiding phone use at set times, helps improve concentration.
[● 4 SOURCES] Focusing on a single, continuous piece of content rather than frequent jumps improves attention.
[● 4 SOURCES] Distraction is a conscious decision.

Timeline

14 days ago

[HEALTH] 6 sources
Cordula Nussbaum and Henning Beck Offer Tips to Re‑train Attention
Cordula Nussbaum and neuroscientist Henning Beck say smartphone‑driven habits have eroded focus, but screen‑free routines and deliberate training can restore sustained attention.
about 1 month ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
German experts examine memory filtering and student attention in the digital age
German psychologists say forgetting conserves brain energy, while a teacher warns that smartphones erode student attention, urging a return to analog learning.

Sources

courage-online.de · europeonline-magazine.eu · fehmarn24.de · kurierverlag.de · noz.de · op-online.de

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history