Brain Rot and Literacy Crisis Among Indonesian Studenti
A Study on the Declining Reading Interest in the Digital Consumption Era
Abstract
The phenomenon of brain rot that is rampant among Indonesian students reflects the literacy crisis in the era of rapid and superficial digital consumption. This study analyzes the correlation between the intensity of exposure to instant digital content and the decline in critical literacy skills and reading interest among Indonesian students. Based on national and international data such as PISA 2022, as well as theoretical approaches such as Cognitive Load Theory, Uses and Gratification, and the concept of Digital Natives, this research explores how instant information consumption diminishes students' focus, working memory, and reflective capacity. In response, this study offers 21st-century literacy strategies through the strengthening of critically-based digital literacy, reflective pedagogical innovations such as slow reading and deep learning. This finding emphasizes that the literacy crisis in the digital era is not only a matter of low reading interest but also a direct result of the dissonance between the education ecosystem and students' digital culture.
References
Alam, F., M. Tao, R. Rastogi, A. Mendiratta, and ... 2024. “Do Social Media Influencers Influence the Vaccination Drive? An Application of Source Credibility Theory and Uses and Gratification Theory.” … Forecasting and Social ….
Aribowo, P., and M. I. Bagaskara. 2025. “Dampak Penggunaan Media Sosial" Brain Rot" Terhadap Kesehatan Mental Remaja.” Jurnal Sosial Teknologi.
Bhagwath, A. n.d. “The Psychology of Brain Rot.” Researchgate.Net.
Chen, O., F. Paas, and J. Sweller. 2023. “A Cognitive Load Theory Approach to Defining and Measuring Task Complexity through Element Interactivity.” Educational Psychology Review.
Colasante, T., L. Lin, K. De France, and ... 2022. “Any Time and Place? Digital Emotional Support for Digital Natives.” American ….
Du, H., X. Feng, X. Qian, J. Zhang, B. Liu, A. Li, and ... 2022. “Recent-Onset and Persistent Tinnitus: Uncovering the Differences in Brain Activities Using Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologies.” Frontiers in ….
Fernández, P. C. 2023. “Effects of Information Overload on News Consumer Behavior. The Doomscrolling.” VISUAL Review. International Visual Culture Review / Revista Internacional de Cultura 10(3). doi: 10.37467/revvisual.v10.4592.
Jabeen, F., A. Tandon, J. Sithipolvanichgul, and ... 2023. “Social Media-Induced Fear of Missing out (FoMO) and Social Media Fatigue: The Role of Narcissism, Comparison and Disclosure.” Journal of Business ….
Karakus, M. 2023. “Understanding the Academic Achievement of the First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Students: A Multi-Level Analysis of PISA 2018 Data.” Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability 35(2):233–78. doi: 10.1007/s11092-022-09395-x.
Kartol, A. 2025. “Development and Validation of the Earthquake Obsession Scale.” Death Studies 49(3):219–27. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2317177.
Lau, K. C. 2022. “Attitudes Towards Science, Teaching Practices, and Science Performance in PISA 2015: Multilevel Analysis of the Chinese and Western Top Performers.” Research in Science Education 52(2):415–26. doi: 10.1007/s11165-020-09954-6.
Robertson, S. L. 2021. “Provincializing the OECD-PISA Global Competences Project.” Globalisation, Societies and Education 19(2):167–82. doi: 10.1080/14767724.2021.1887725.
Seitzer, H. 2021. “Placing PISA in Perspective: The OECD’s Multi-Centric View on Education.” Globalisation, Societies and Education 19(2):198–212. doi: 10.1080/14767724.2021.1878017.
Singarimbun, P. 2023. “Pengaruh Penggunaan Media Sosial Dalam Proses Pembelajaran Di Sekolah.” Cognoscere: Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Media ….
Szulewski, A., T. van Gog, F. Paas, and ... 2022. “Cognitive Load Theory: Researching and Planning Teaching to Maximise Learning.” Researching Medical …. doi: 10.1002/9781119839446.ch27.
Thornhill-Miller, B. 2023. “Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration: Assessment, Certification, and Promotion of 21st Century Skills for the Future of Work and Education.” Journal of Intelligence 11(3).
Wong, L. W., G. W. H. Tan, J. J. Hew, K. B. Ooi, and ... 2022. “Mobile Social Media Marketing: A New Marketing Channel among Digital Natives in Higher Education?” Journal of Marketing for …. doi: 10.1080/08841241.2020.1834486.
Yousef, A. M. F. 2025. “Demystifying the New Dilemma of Brain Rot in the Digital Era: A Review.” Brain Sciences 15(3).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
