Attention span refers to the duration for which a person can maintain concentration on a single task, activity, or stimulus.

Being a crucial part of humans’ cognitive functioning, it influences how we learn, work, and interact with the surroundings.

The shrinking attention span is more like a global pandemic that has affected every individual on the planet directly or indirectly. Research shows that the average attention span of a human is only 8.25 seconds which is less than that of a goldfish (9 seconds).

This is considered one of the most documented cognitive shifts of the 21st century. Research led by Dr Gloria Mark at the University of California, Irvine, has traced the average duration of focused attention on digital screens over the 20-year period.

The research found that in 2004, the average attention span was approximately 150 seconds which reduced to 75 seconds in 2012. Recent data from 2012 reveals that this figure has decreased to 75 seconds. While in 2024, the average attention span has plummeted to just 47 seconds.

This suggests a broader restructuring of the human cognitive baseline. The decline is primarily linked to the disruption between two main attention systems i.e., the involuntary system (reacts to external stimuli) and the goal-oriented system (enables sustained focus).

Digital platforms especially social media are engineered to trigger the involuntary system via constant notifications, vibrant visual cues, and algorithmic unpredictability. This constant trigger systematically fatigues the prefrontal cortex (region of brain responsible for executive function and impulsive control).

How does the human brain shift attention?

With each instance of attention shifting, “switching cost” occurs. It refers to the measurable reduction in performance particularly slower reacting times and increased errors that usually happen when the brain shifts attention from one task, rule, or mental set to another.

As human brain works as a serial processor, it can’t multitask in the literal sense. Rather, it engages in rapid task-switching. To process each switch, it requires several minutes for the brain to regain its focus.

In a digital environment dominated by short-form content, where a user consumes different content of 15-to-30-second videos in a single session, the brain remains in a continuous state of partial attention.

This continuous state prevents the human’s cognitive system from entering a flow state, a condition where the brain can develop deep engagement that’s required for complex problem solving and creative synthesis.

Additionally, the constant push to check notifications from social media platforms activates the sympathetic nervous system that keeps the body in a state of low-level “fight or flight” mode.

The psychological stress response, measured by high heart rate and perceived stress levels, contributes to the modern epidemic of digital burnout and generalised anxiety. 

Travis Kelce’s harmless sport unfortunately proved to be harmful for a fan who was watching the golf match.

The 36-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end reportedly struck a woman hard on the 18th hole, who was left shaken by the hit.

The staff around the golf course at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am rushed to help the injured woman and Kelce soon joined them to ask her if she was alright.

The fan, who has been identified as Edenne Flinn, from Salinas, California, ensured the NFL star that she was alright, and he then signed an autograph for her.

The accident quickly went viral on social media, with fans attacking the sportsman over his neglectful shot which hurt a bystander.

Social media sleuths also brought up similar incidents happened in the past where Kelce left people “bloodied” due to his accidental shots.

One X user wrote, “Wait Travis Kelce played in a golf tournament this weekend & he hit a girl with one of his golf balls?? & all she got out of it was an autograph? & even more egregious is that it’s the 2nd time it’s happened??! He did the same thing a few years ago?”

Another added, “he should go back to the football field already,” while a third joked, “bro is treating the golf court like NFL drills chill out.”

On the other hand, many also appreciated the star athlete for going to check on the hurt fan right away.

Indian left-handed opening batter Abhishek Sharma joined the list of unwanted batters after enduring a disappointing outing, falling for a four-ball duck during a high-voltage ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against arch-rival Pakistan.

The top-ranked T20I batter, who bagged a duck in India’s campaign opener against the United States of America (USA) before missing their subsequent group-stage fixture against Namibia due to illness, was slotted back into the playing XI for the high-octane clash.

Sharma, however, had a forgetful return as he perished for a four-ball duck, falling victim to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha in the first over.

Consequently, he joined an unwanted list of Indian openers who bagged a duck against traditional rivals Pakistan in T20 World Cups, led by his head coach Gautam Gambhir, who suffered the outcome twice in the 2007 and 2012 editions.

The list also features India’s World Cup-winning captain, Rohit Sharma, who was trapped lbw for a golden duck by left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi during the traditional rivals’ meeting at the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Indian openers to bag a duck against Pakistan in T20 World Cups

• Gautam Gambhir – zero (three) in 2007
• Gautam Gambhir – zero (two) in 2012
• Rohit Sharma – zero (one) in 2021
• Abhishek Sharma – zero (four) in 2026.

Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat after accumulating only 114 before getting bowled out in 18 overs.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first did not prove beneficial for the Green Shirts as the Men in Blue accumulated 175/7 in their 20 overs.