Fragmented attention is reshaping a generation

Photo: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

IN today's era of information overload, teenagers' attention spans are being sliced into tiny fragments. Picture them as "information catchers," endlessly scrolling through feeds on their phones, lured by short videos, notifications, and gaming quests. The result? They struggle to focus on a single task for long periods, and this fragmented attention is quietly reshaping their learning, mental health, social interactions, and even the future of society.

Learning is often compared to planting a tree: it takes time to dig deep, plant seeds, and water them consistently. But for many teenagers today, learning feels more like sprinkling pepper – dabbling in this and that without truly committing to anything. They’re used to skimming through textbooks or multitasking, making it hard for them to engage in deeper understanding or critical thinking.