--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The addictive nature of Web browsing can…" description: "\"“The addictive nature of Web browsing can leave you with an attention span of nine seconds—the same as a goldfish.”\" — Sally Hogshead" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg" --- # The addictive nature of Web browsing can leave you with an… ![“The addictive nature of Web browsing can leave you with an attention span of nine seconds—the same as a goldfish.” quote by Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg) > ““The addictive nature of Web browsing can leave you with an attention span of nine seconds—the same as a goldfish.”” [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Constant web browsing fragments focus, reducing attention to about nine seconds, comparable to a goldfish. **In simple terms:** Web browsing shortens attention. Key Takeaway Limit multitasking online. Themes digital distraction attention span technology impact cognitive load Mood concerned alert Type advisory informative When to use this quote - social media use - online research - learning sessions Key Concepts media consumption neuroscience habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How does your browsing habit affect productivity? - What strategies can extend your focus? A Different Perspective May underestimate individual variance in attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addictive Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addictive-nature-5465982/) [Attention span](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention-span/) [Browsing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/browsing/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Seconds Goldfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seconds-goldfish-5948463/) [Web Browsing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/web-browsing-4756398/) ## Related quotes > [I find web browsing, checking multiple email accounts, and Google mapping rather tiresome on an iPhone - the iPhone's native interface, for all its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/i-find-web-browsing-checking-multiple-email-accounts-and-google/) [John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/) > [I've always had an addictive nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-porter/i-ve-always-had-an-addictive-nature/) [Gail Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-porter/) > [The tobacco companies knew quite early on the addictive nature of their product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-cavuto/the-tobacco-companies-knew-quite-early-on-the-addictive-nature-of/) [Neil Cavuto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-cavuto/) > [For years, particularly with the advent of the Internet, people have been griping about lessening attention spans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/for-years-particularly-with-the-advent-of-the-internet-people-have/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [Now, for my younger viewers out there, a book is something we used to have before the internet. It’s sort of a blog for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/now-for-my-younger-viewers-out-there-a-book-is-something-we-used-to/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Taylor gang or show your mom your browsing history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-gang/taylor-gang-or-show-your-mom-your-browsing-history/) [Taylor Gang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-gang/) > [Since the choice of what we curl up with is often crucial for our solace and sanity, we need to learn how to nurture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/since-the-choice-of-what-we-curl-up-with-is-often-crucial-for-our/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [What we read and why we do so defines us in a profound way. You are what you read, I suppose. Browsing through someone’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillermo-del-toro/what-we-read-and-why-we-do-so-defines-us-in-a-profound-way-you-are/) [Guillermo del Toro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-del-toro/) > [Texting, even browsing the Internet - all these things can attract monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/texting-even-browsing-the-internet-all-these-things-can-attract/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Words fascinate me. They always have. For me, browsing a dictionary is like being turned loose in a bank.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-cantor/words-fascinate-me-they-always-have-for-me-browsing-a-dictionary-is/) [Eddie Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-cantor/) > [\*Browsing Facebook\* \*See's b\*tchy status\* 6O COMMENTS! \*Gets popcorn\*](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/browsing-facebook-see-s-b-tchy-status-6o-comments-gets-popcorn/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The implications are clear: Facebook wants to build an Internet where watching films, listening to music, reading books and even browsing is done not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/the-implications-are-clear-facebook-wants-to-build-an-internet-where/) [Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/) > [In spite of my own reservations about Bing's ability to convert Google users, I have to admit that the search engine does offer a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-rushkoff/in-spite-of-my-own-reservations-about-bing-s-ability-to-convert/) [Douglas Rushkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-rushkoff/) > [I first discovered YouTube while browsing the web, and then I found people just talking into their cameras. I never even knew it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-oakley/i-first-discovered-youtube-while-browsing-the-web-and-then-i-found/) [Tyler Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-oakley/) > [I've spent many hours of my life browsing in stores. At 21, I admired clothes I couldn't afford. At 30, I bought them. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumaan-alam/i-ve-spent-many-hours-of-my-life-browsing-in-stores-at-21-i-admired/) [Rumaan Alam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumaan-alam/) ## More by Sally Hogshead > [Messages that fail to fascinate will become irrelevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/messages-that-fail-to-fascinate-will-become-irrelevant/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“Forbes describes how Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist, discovered that “people would rather do business with a person they like and trust rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/forbes-describes-how-daniel-kahneman-a-nobel-prize-winning/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“The reality, however, is that “better” is not better. Better is a mirage. It keeps you chained to the same way of working as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-reality-however-is-that-better-is-not-better-better-is-a-mirage/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“But over time, people can lose their innate ability to fascinate. They acquire layers of boring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/but-over-time-people-can-lose-their-innate-ability-to-fascinate-they/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [Any idea is only as valuable as its ability to solve a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/any-idea-is-only-as-valuable-as-its-ability-to-solve-a-problem/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“You will never rise to your greatest potential by being all things to all people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/you-will-never-rise-to-your-greatest-potential-by-being-all-things-to/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“When you stop trying to be all things to all people, you can stop worrying about being liked and start building relationships that allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/when-you-stop-trying-to-be-all-things-to-all-people-you-can-stop/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“It turned out that experienced meditators activated the parts of the brain that suppress interruptions and they were able to completely block out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/it-turned-out-that-experienced-meditators-activated-the-parts-of-the/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [You don't have to learn to be fascinating, you have to learn to be unboring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/you-don-t-have-to-learn-to-be-fascinating-you-have-to-learn-to-be/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“When you’re in the zone, you’re more likely to have an epiphany or reach a solution. As you become less self-conscious, you’re more confident,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/when-you-re-in-the-zone-you-re-more-likely-to-have-an-epiphany-or/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“The fact is that the financial advisor must find ways to distinguish himself not just during the initial sales process, but equally importantly on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-fact-is-that-the-financial-advisor-must-find-ways-to-distinguish/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [The goal is not to change who you are but to become more of who you are at your best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-goal-is-not-to-change-who-you-are-but-to-become-more-of-who-you/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“Different is better than better. Different doesn’t try to turn you into something else. Different allows you to highlight the singular traits you already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/different-is-better-than-better-different-doesn-t-try-to-turn-you/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) > [“Your personality is your natural weapon against distraction, competition, and commoditization. The more value you add, the less you have to compete on price,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/your-personality-is-your-natural-weapon-against-distraction/) [Sally Hogshead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) [Explore all 15 Sally Hogshead quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/) ## More Attention span quotes > [One of the great things about being an actor is it serves a short attention span, which is something I have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-mack/one-of-the-great-things-about-being-an-actor-is-it-serves-a-short/) [Allison Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-mack/) > [“I have been so struck by the mettle of the men who founded this country and wrote the Constitution. What unbelievable persistence and integrity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosanne-cash/i-have-been-so-struck-by-the-mettle-of-the-men-who-founded-this/) [Rosanne Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosanne-cash/) > [College wasn't for us. We just didn't have the attention span.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brie-bella/college-wasn-t-for-us-we-just-didn-t-have-the-attention-span/) [Brie Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brie-bella/) > [I sometimes worry about my short attention span, but not for long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/i-sometimes-worry-about-my-short-attention-span-but-not-for-long/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [“Daemon had not stayed. My smile slipped from my face. He was standing by the window, his back to me. “I got bored.” “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/daemon-had-not-stayed-my-smile-slipped-from-my-face-he-was-standing/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [There will be a competition among critics for the best Paris Hilton insult. Here's my first: Her attention span is so short that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-edelstein/there-will-be-a-competition-among-critics-for-the-best-paris-hilton/) [David Edelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-edelstein/) > [Twenty20 is cricket on speed. In an era of hectic lifestyles and falling attention spans, it gives spectators more drama and intensity in three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikas-swarup/twenty20-is-cricket-on-speed-in-an-era-of-hectic-lifestyles-and/) [Vikas Swarup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikas-swarup/) > [For years, particularly with the advent of the Internet, people have been griping about lessening attention spans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/for-years-particularly-with-the-advent-of-the-internet-people-have/) [Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/) > [People have an infinite attention span if you are entertaining them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/people-have-an-infinite-attention-span-if-you-are-entertaining-them/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [I didn't really want to be an actor when I was growing up - I wanted to be whatever I was reading about or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-sudeikis/i-didn-t-really-want-to-be-an-actor-when-i-was-growing-up-i-wanted-to/) [Jason Sudeikis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-sudeikis/) > [Now, for my younger viewers out there, a book is something we used to have before the internet. It’s sort of a blog for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/now-for-my-younger-viewers-out-there-a-book-is-something-we-used-to/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [“How in the world did they just jump from politics, to a ball, and now to daimon attacks? And here I’d thought I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/how-in-the-world-did-they-just-jump-from-politics-to-a-ball-and-now/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [You don’t pay attention man/that’s why your money is the size of your attention span.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-dilla/you-don-t-pay-attention-man-that-s-why-your-money-is-the-size-of-your/) [J Dilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-dilla/) > [I think, first of all, you know, Washington has a bad habit of a very short attention span.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/i-think-first-of-all-you-know-washington-has-a-bad-habit-of-a-very/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) [Browse all 298 Attention span quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention-span/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The addictive nature of Web browsing can leave you with an attention span of nine seconds—the same as a goldfish.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sally Hogshead" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can-leave-you-with-an-attention/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attention span" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can-leave-you-with-an-attention/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/sally-hogshead-32634_attention-span_the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can_2389735.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The addictive nature of Web browsing can leave you with an attention span of nine seconds—the same as a…” — Sally Hogshead", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sally Hogshead", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-hogshead/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The addictive nature of Web browsing...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can-leave-you-with-an-attention/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-hogshead/the-addictive-nature-of-web-browsing-can-leave-you-with-an-attention/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```