Is Social Media Ruining Your Focus? A Neuroscientist Responds
From EdTech Dots · 00:53:14
Show by Krzysztof Kosman
Is social media damaging your attention—or are we confusing everyday distraction with long-term changes in the brain?Neuroscientist Dr Ewelina Kurtys joins Krzysztof Kosman on EdTech Dots for a conversation about smartphones, concentration, dopamine and the way we learn. With a background in brain imaging and work connecting neuroscience, AI and biocomputing, she brings a perspective that challenges some familiar assumptions.She stopped scrolling through social media. But her reasons are not the ones you might expect.We explore why she separates personal choices from scientific claims, how notifications differ from questions about lasting attention problems, and why correlation does not establish causation. The discussion also touches on ADHD, children growing up online and the popular idea of a dopamine detox.Then we turn to AI in education: whether ChatGPT means thinking less, how learning at your own pace can help, and why human judgement and connection still matter.For teachers, parents and people building educational technology, the central question is how to make thoughtful choices without reducing a complex brain to a simple headline.What has made the biggest difference to your ability to focus? Share your experience in the comments.Subscribe and like this episode to help us grow the channel, invite more great guests, and keep connecting education and technology.Explore more conversations: https://edtechdots.comFollow our guest on TikTok:English: https://www.tiktok.com/@ewelina_ttsPolish: https://www.tiktok.com/@brain_andaiCHAPTERS00:00 Episode highlights00:36 Introduction01:32 What we still don’t understand about the brain04:31 Social media and constant digital stimulation07:18 Correlation vs causation11:13 Notifications, fatigue and focus16:49 Children growing up with smartphones20:33 Adapting to rapid technological change24:58 ADHD and attention difficulties28:57 Brain imaging and the possibility of reading the brain30:27 Why ads can seem to read your mind31:47 Technology, education and effective learning35:09 AI, cognitive effort and thinking like a manager40:46 Brain enhancement and human limits43:47 Dopamine detox: questioning the claim46:06 Online education and the value of structure49:10 AI tutors and learning at your own pace50:10 AI influence and why human guidance matters52:52 Closing thoughts
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