Brain Rot Britain? Over Half of Young Brits Say Their Phones Are Harming Their Mindset and Attention Span
- Sam Brace
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Brain Rot Britain? Over Half of Young Brits Say Their Phones Are Harming Their Mindset and Attention Span
60% of Brits Say They’d Rather Play a Puzzle Game Than Scroll Social Media
London, UK – 14 January 2026 – Marking World Logic Day, new research commissioned by Mindset GO! – a free-to-play, logic-based puzzle game – suggests Brits are increasingly seeking more mindful ways to spend time on their phones, with puzzles and logic-based games emerging as a way to fight “brain rot”.
Over half of Gen Z and Gen Y believe phones are damaging their mindset
Nearly 60% say doomscrolling negatively impacts their attention span
More than 50% of young people report their attention span is worse
Almost 90% of Brits admit to using their phone while watching TV
27% of Gen Z still believe watching TikToks and Reels is beneficial for their logical thinking
The shift comes amid growing concern about online safety and the cognitive and emotional impact of excessive social media use. A scientific review published by Dr Aviv M. Weinstein in 2023 highlighted links to poorer sleep quality, reduced cognitive performance, negative mindsets and FOMO (fear of missing out).
Public sentiment appears to be aligning with the science, as new consumer research shows that over half1 of Gen Z and Gen Y believe phones are damaging their mindset, and almost 60%2 admit that doomscrolling has a negative impact on their attention span. Over 50%3 of young people also say their attention span is worse than it was five years ago. The study further reveals that 89%4 of Brits use their phone while watching TV. Despite widespread concern about the negative cognitive effects of social media, 27% of Gen Z still believe watching TikToks and Reels is beneficial for their logical thinking.
55% in Northern Ireland, 41% in Scotland and 35% in Wales believe phones are damaging their mindset.
53% in Northern Ireland, 41% in Scotland and 43% in Wales say doomscrolling negatively impacts their attention span.
61% in Northern Ireland, 48% in Scotland and 52% in Wales report their attention span is worse than 5 years ago.
63% in Northern Ireland, 66% in Scotland and 57% in Wales prefer logic-based games over mindless social media scrolling.
Against this backdrop, World Logic Day – which celebrates reasoning, critical thinking and the foundations of rational thought – feels particularly timely. Many consumers say they actively associate logic-based games and puzzles with a positive mindset, with over 60%5 of Brits choosing puzzles and logic-based games over mindless scrolling as a healthier way to engage with screens.
One such logic-based puzzle game is Mindset GO!, a free-to-play puzzle game for web and mobile, designed to challenge the brain and reward players by turning spare moments into meaningful play. Built around an innovative Venn-diagram-based puzzle mechanic, Mindset GO! challenges players to think visually and logically by sorting shapes according to shared attributes. The game blends logic, reasoning, observation and order — making it easy to start playing but increasingly challenging to master.
“I’ve always wanted to make mentally rewarding games that leave players feeling good about how they’ve spent their time,” said Ste Curran, creator of puzzle game Mindset GO!. “The data clearly shows that many people believe excessive social media and phone use is negatively impacting their mental wellbeing and focus, while logic-based games are increasingly seen as a positive, mindful alternative. With the start of a new year – when people are thinking about self-care, mood-boosting habits and healthier routines – there’s a real appetite for a digital reset, and Mindset GO! can offer that alternative.”
Unlike passive scrolling, logic-based puzzle games have been shown in wider research to support cognitive engagement and mental stimulation – aligning with growing public interest in brain-training games and apps, mindful phone use, and digital wellbeing. Mindset GO! offers mentally rewarding, short-form and accessible puzzle gameplay without the time pressure often seen in other games, allowing players to solve puzzles at their own pace.
As World Logic Day encourages people to celebrate thoughtful reasoning, the message from consumers is clear: in a world of infinite scrolling, many prefer experiences that challenge the mind, support focus and leave them feeling better.
Puzzle fans can download the Mindset GO! app for free on iPhone and Android via the App Store and Google Store, or have a taster of the game online via a web browser.
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Notes to Editors:
Survey attribution:
Survey commissioned by Mindset GO!, a free-to-play puzzle game for web and mobile.
Short attribution:
Survey commissioned by Mindset GO!.
Research details:
Consumer research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of the creators of puzzle game Mindset GO!. Censuswide surveyed 2,001 Nationally Representative respondents between 31.12.2025 – 02.01.2026. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
Interview opportunities:
Interview opportunities are available to discuss the survey findings, logic-based puzzle games and Mindset GO! with: Ste Curran, Creator of Mindset GO!
Assets:
MindsetGO! assets can be found here.
For Immediate Release
Footnotes:
‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Agree’ answers combined. Gen Z 56%. Gen Y 52%
‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Agree’ answers combined. Gen Z 59%. Gen Y 58%
‘Much Shorter’ and ‘Slightly shorter’ answers combined.
‘Always’, ‘Often’, ‘Sometimes’, and ‘Rarely’ answers combined.
‘Strongly agree’ and ‘Agree’ answers combined.
Media Contact Information:
Sam Brace / Ali Payne / Jasmine Koolhoven
About Mindset GO!
Mindset is an all-new puzzle game using observation and logic to sort shapes into sets. By solving daily challenges, unlocking rules and completing weekly themes, you’ll embark on a journey of discovery, earning badges, sharpening your mind and growing your unique mindset along the way. It is available to download for free from the Apple Store or Google Play.
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