The Dorito Theory: Encouraging students to strike a balance with social media
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
TikTok users, a third of whom are students, have been thinking a lot about Doritos lately. On February 8th, one user, celeste.aria_, posted a video about an interesting concept she recently heard about: the Dorito Theory. She explained that while delicious and loved by many, Doritos don’t provide a ton of nutritional value compared to a well-balanced meal. In the same way, many students enjoy scrolling on social media because it’s entertaining, but scrolling might not make them feel “full” mentally or emotionally after. The video now has over 126,000 likes on TikTok and a few articles written about it, proving how eye-opening the concept is and how quickly new ideas spread online.
We know that educators are concerned about their student’s attention span and how social media use can affect it. The EdWeek Research Center reported that 55% of educators agree that students’ attention spans have become shorter due to the amount of time they spend on devices. Because decreasing attention span could impact students’ classroom engagement and ability to learn, it’s important to empower them to strike a balance between social media and technology. So what can educators learn from the Dorito Theory and how can we use it to help students understand the importance of striking a balance to avoid another food-related term called “popcorn brain?” Let’s dive in.
The Dorito Theory, popcorn brain, and attention spans
As the TikTok video explains, the Dorito Theory is about the things we engage with that don’t result in a feeling of satisfaction that lasts but instead creates the need for more. For example, when you finish a bag of chips, you usually don’t feel as satisfied as when you finish a nutritious meal. Instead, the satisfaction comes from the temporary moment of eating a chip rather than the result. That isn’t to say chips are bad – the amount we consume can become problematic, just like with social media. The TikTok creator compares this concept to scrolling on social media and how it can be addictive; we don’t feel fulfilled after endlessly scrolling on TikTok, so it can be hard to know when to stop swiping or watching one more video.
Many studies have been done on why stopping scrolling on social media can be difficult. Research by the University of California at Irvine reported that the average attention span has decreased from 2.5 minutes in 2005 to 47 seconds in the last few years. This seems to result from a term called “popcorn brain,” coined in 2011 by researcher David Levy. This refers to the tendency for our brains to jump from one thing to another, just like popcorn kernels popping. Over time, this rapid shifting of attention can make it difficult to focus on one thing for an extended period, making scrolling on social media feel more enjoyable than focusing on one activity.
In terms of the Dorito Theory, it’s important to note that TikTok has become a hub for new terms and popular student slang. Because of this, educators may be hearing new terms like the Dorito Theory in the classroom. In addition to using these terms to discuss navigating social media with your students, beinag aware of these terms allows you to meet students where they are.
Fostering student engagement in the classroom
The Dorito Theory and “popcorn brain” give us insight into students’ attention spans. A study by Common Sense Media found that 97% of students say they use their phones during the school day. Because students are so used to constantly checking social media, a behavior that is sometimes likened to addiction, they may find it difficult to focus in the classroom. But, it’s not all bad news.
Students want to be able to strike a balance when navigating social media and technology. The Pew Research Center reported in 2022 that 36% of teens say that they spend too much time on social media. This is why educators play a crucial role in equipping students with the tools to regain control of their attention spans so they can focus when engaging in school and other activities. Share these tips with your students to empower them to strike a balance:
- Set an example: Strike a balance with your social media use and be an example for students to follow by limiting the use of your personal devices in the classroom.
- Practice mindfulness: Encourage students to be aware of how scrolling on social media makes them feel and respond to those feelings. Maybe they recognize that scrolling makes them anxious so that they can turn their focus to another offline activity.
- Set time limits: Empower students to use tools like the screen time feature on phones to limit their time on social media.
The Dorito Theory is a simple way for students to comprehend the impact too much screen time could have on them socially, emotionally, and mentally. It can also help them sharpen their attention spans and combat “popcorn brain.” To empower your students to strike a balance with technology at home and school, check out our #WinAtSocial Lesson, Dealing with screens during the day: What do you do?
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
The Dorito Theory is a good way of thinking about striking a balance with social media. How do you currently balance your time on social media with other activities? What strategies do you use to keep a healthy balance between the two?
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.