A national attention crisis
South Africans are increasingly finding it difficult to concentrate. A 2023 report revealed that almost half of the country’s adults feel their attention span has shrunk, while two out of three worry that younger generations are suffering even more. It is a trend that cuts across homes, classrooms, and workplaces, signalling a cultural shift in how our minds cope with modern life.
For those living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, estimated at between 2.5% and 4.3% of the population, the problem is far more complex. ADHD often goes undiagnosed in South Africa, with treatment gaps as high as 75 percent, leaving many people without access to proper support. The rise of digital distractions has only made matters worse.
The digital distraction dilemma
Screens are everywhere. Smartphones, TikTok clips, WhatsApp notifications, and streaming platforms compete for attention with a relentlessness that is reshaping behaviour. On average, South Africans check their phones up to 80 times a day, even though most believe they only check about 25. Half admit they struggle to stop scrolling when they should be focusing on work, studies, or family time.
Professor Renata Schoeman, head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School and convenor of the Southern African Multidisciplinary ADHD Congress, warns that the constant stimulation can be devastating, particularly for people with ADHD. Impulsivity, forgetfulness, and emotional reactivity are amplified in digital environments, straining relationships and deepening anxiety.
ADHD in the digital age
The upcoming ADHD Congress, themed “ADHD in the Digital Age: Thriving in a World of Distraction,” is bringing together experts from across Africa to tackle these challenges. While technology has created many of the conditions that fragment attention, it may also hold some of the solutions.
Augmented reality tools, for example, are showing promise in helping individuals manage sensory processing and focus. Remote mental health services and online support communities are also expanding access to care, while simple digital reminders and calendars are helping people structure their daily lives. The key, Schoeman explains, lies in using technology with intention rather than passivity.
Choosing where to spend attention
The real issue is not only about devices. It is about how South Africans choose to live within what Schoeman calls the “attention economy,” where focus has become a scarce commodity. Every swipe, scroll, and binge-watch has a cost.
Mindful use of technology is part of the solution. This means setting screen boundaries, creating tech-free zones at home, prioritising deeper forms of engagement like reading or writing, and allowing time for restorative downtime outdoors or with loved ones. Even small steps, such as batching notifications or following focus techniques like Pomodoro, can rebuild attention stamina.
Why this matters for everyone
This is not just a story about ADHD. It is about an entire nation learning how to preserve one of its most valuable resources: the ability to focus. The rise of screen fatigue and attention fragmentation is a collective challenge, shaping how children learn, how adults work, and how society connects.
As South Africa grapples with its growing digital dependency, experts stress that the future of attention will be determined by how intentionally we engage with our devices today. Focus is no longer just a personal habit; it is a cultural survival skill.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: The South African
