The latest social media app to spread like wildfire among young people is TikTok. This app works by people creating and sharing short videos that usually last under a minute. The videos posted often cover various topics like dance challenges, fashion trends, prank videos, or even news updates. While this might seem like just another harmless social media app, new research shows that TikTok can negatively affect people’s attention spans.
Some studies have recently discovered that apps like TikTok affect people’s brains. Specifically, it has altered how our brains release dopamine. Dopamine is often called the “feel-good” hormone because it produces feelings of pleasure that can motivate people to do more of an activity. It is a neurotransmitter that our brains release as a reward when we do undertakings such as eating a tasty meal, winning a race, or watching a funny video. So, when people watch short, 30-second videos over and over, their brains release more dopamine with each video.
If people continually repeat this cycle over a period of time, it can eventually rewire our brains to expect instant gratification. When this isn’t met, people will shift their attention to something new. Furthermore, it reduces our ability to delay gratification and focus on things for long periods of time. This issue can be especially problematic in teenagers whose brains are still developing and can lead to addictive tendencies.
Photo: Shutterstock I 照片： Shutterstock
To prevent the development of “TikTok brain” in their children, parents are advised to limit the amount of screen time their children have. Parents should also set good examples by turning off their phones and fully engaging with their children during conversations.
在年輕人之間迅速傳播開來的最新社交媒體應用程式是TikTok。這個應用程式的運作方式是人們製作並分享通常不超過一分鐘的短影音。發布的影片常涵蓋各種主題，如舞蹈挑戰、時尚潮流、惡作劇影片，或甚至是新聞最新消息。雖然這看似只是另一個無害的社交媒體應用程式，但新的研究表明，TikTok會對人們的注意力時間產生負面影響。
一些研究最近發現，像是TikTok這類的應用程式會影響人們的大腦。具體來說，它改變了我們大腦釋放多巴胺的方式。多巴胺通常被稱為「使人愉悅的」荷爾蒙，因為它能產生愉悅感，促使人們從事更多某一項活動。多巴胺是一種神經傳導物質，當我們做一些事情時—比如吃一頓可口的餐點、贏得一場比賽或觀看一段有趣的影片—大腦就會釋放多巴胺作為獎勵。因此，當人們一次又一次地觀看三十秒的短影音時，其大腦就會隨著每段影片釋放更多的多巴胺。
如果人們在一段時間內不斷重複這樣的循環，最終就會重塑我們的大腦，讓其養成期待即時滿足的習慣。一旦得不到這種即時的滿足，人們就會把注意力轉到新的事物上。此外，這樣還會降低我們延遲滿足感和長時間集中注意力的能力。對於大腦仍在發育的青少年來說，這個問題尤其嚴重，且可能會導致成癮傾向。
為防止孩子發展出抖音腦（TikTok brain），建議家長限制孩子看螢幕的時間。家長還應在與孩子交談時關掉手機並完全投入，以樹立良好榜樣。
What Did You Learn?
1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about TikTok?
(A) It has rapidly gained popularity among the youth.
(B) It never covers any topics other than dance challenges.
(C) It enables users to view, produce and distribute brief videos online.
(D) It may harmfully impact individuals’ ability to focus for extended periods.
2. Why is dopamine often referred to as the “feel-good” hormone?
(A) It is more common in teenagers.
(B) It creates sensations of delight.
(C) It is used to stabilize people’s emotions.
(D) It aids in the length of time a person can concentrate.
3. According to the passage, what can parents do to keep their children from developing TikTok brain?
(A) Ask their children to switch off their phones.
(B) Ban all screen time completely for their children.
(C) Avoid face-to-face interactions with their children.
(D) Set restrictions on how long their children look at the screen.
答案：
1. (B)
2. (B)
3.(D)
Word in Use
1. update n. 最新消息
I’d like to give you an update on our overseas offices.
我想告訴您我們海外辦事處的最新情況。
2. span n. 一段時間
an attention span 集中力時間（指將心思和興趣集 中於某一事物的時間長度）
David’s attention span was so short that he couldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes.
大衛的注意力時間如此短，以至於他不能安靜坐著超過幾分鐘。
3. specifically adv. 具體來說
We got some client complaints recently. Specifically, they think we need to improve our services.
我們最近收到了一些客訴。具體來說，他們認為我們需要改善我們的服務。
4. alter vt. 改變
I wonder if we should alter our methods of freight transportation.
我想知道我們是否該改變貨運方式。
5. hormone n. 荷爾蒙
Through crying, we can eliminate certain stress hormones from our body.
透過哭泣，我們可以消除體內的某些壓力荷爾蒙。
Practical Phrases
1. spread like wildfire 迅速地傳開來
The rumors about the mayor’s scandal spread like wildfire.
有關該市長醜聞的謠言迅速地傳開來。
2. over and over 一次又一次，不斷地
Dad yelled at me when I kept making the same mistake over and over.
我不斷犯同樣的錯誤時，老爸對我大吼大叫。
3. set a good example 樹立良好榜樣
The best way to teach your children is to set good examples.
教育小孩最好的方法是樹立良好榜樣。
4. engage with... 與……接觸∕交流
It is beneficial to engage with people of different backgrounds.
跟來自不同背景的人交流是有益處的。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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