LIFESTYLE NEWS - Nearly half of adults believe their ability to focus has declined and in South Africa, those living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), estimated between 2.5% and 4.3%, face a perfect storm: an already under-recognised condition worsened by the unrelenting pull of screens.
In South Africa poor identification and access to specialists resources of common mental disorders indicate a treatment gap of up to 75% with ADHD specifically going undetected.
“Smartphones, TikTok feeds and streaming platforms deliver an endless stream of dopamine hits. For individuals with ADHD, who already wrestle with impulsivity and difficulty sustaining attention, this constant stimulation can be devastating,” says Prof Renata Schoeman, Head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School.
Nearly half (49%) of adults feel their attention spans are shorter than before, with 66% believing young people’s focus has especially worsened.
“We live in an 'attention economy' where the media and platforms are designed to segment attention and fragment focus. Scientifically, our attention spans are not really declining; it’s the constant disruption of technology that distracts and fatigues us.”
Technology has reduced both the need and perhaps our willingness to engage in long and tedious tasks to achieve our goals.
“People check their phones far more often than they realise - up to 80 times per day versus the perceived 25 - and approximately 50% admit they can’t stop checking their phone when they should focus. This is a problem across all age groups, not just youth,” says Prof Schoeman.
“We’ve become high media multitaskers with direct impact on our concentration, mood and sleep. We chase the dopaminergic effect constantly supplied by social media and instant (but short-lived) gratification technology such as gaming, binge series-watching and scrolling.”
Prof Schoeman says for those with ADHD, this media multitasking can be devastating.
“The constant stimulation aggravates forgetfulness, emotional reactivity and difficulty organising daily life, often straining relationships, increasing anxiety and leaving people feeling misunderstood or labelled as lazy, when in reality they are fighting an uphill neurological battle.”
Prof Schoeman emphasises that everyone, but especially those with ADHD, should be mindful of their reliance on and use of technology. “We need to figure out how to live better with the attention economy. Attention is a resource, much like time and finances, and we must choose carefully how we apply it.”
Prof Schoeman provides practical strategies for balancing technology use:
- Build digital boundaries: Set specific screen-time limits, enforce "tech-free" periods, and minimise notifications.
- Prioritise depth over breadth: Encourage attention-restoring habits such as reading, writing by hand and creative offline pursuits that counteract the fragmented stimulation of screens
- Use tech mindfully: Choose platforms and interventions designed to support focus instead of overstimulating. For example, use productivity apps with built-in reminders or goal prompts.
- Promote healthy downtime: True mental recovery isn’t found in more scrolling. Activities such as walking in nature, mindful reflection or socialising without screens are far more restorative.
- Support vision and well-being: Especially for youth, limiting screen exposure can ease eye strain and behavioural symptoms often misattributed to ADHD.
- Batch tasks: Limit rapid switching by grouping emails, messages and social media into dedicated time blocks.
- Build deep focus habits: Practise techniques like Pomodoro, where twenty-five minutes of uninterrupted work is followed by a short break.
- Designate tech-free zones: Especially at home and during family time, consider meal times or bedrooms as screen-free areas.
- Support for youth: Promote sleep hygiene and open conversations about how smartphone use affects mood, anxiety, and school focus.
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