digital distraction
Phone pulls attention
Digital distraction is the pull of electronic devices and online content away from tasks requiring focus.
The term captures how notifications, social media, and endless scrolling fragment attention: Digital distraction is the biggest obstacle to deep work.
It implies both the technological source and the mental state of being unable to concentrate.
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
- screen timeDuration on digital displays
- scrollingMoving display content vertically
- doom scrollingCompulsive consumption of distressing content
- infinite scrollContinuously loading content mechanism
notifications · push notifications · screen · social media · ping · alert · buzzing · apps · multitasking · procrastination · attention · attention span · focus · brain fog · interruption · addictive · phone addiction · refresh
digital distractionsustained attention
Continuous focus over time
concentration · flow state · mindfulness · single-tasking · undivided attention
digital distractionpaper book
Non-digital bound publication
nature immersion · handwriting · printed page · tactile experience · pen and paper
digital distractiondeep work
Uninterrupted cognitively demanding labor
deliberate practice · meaningful work · conscious choice · mindful consumption · quality time
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