JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND SOCIAL RESEARCH
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): April 2026

ANALISIS DETEKSI FENOMENA BRAIN ROT PADA MAHASISWA MENGGUNAKAN METODE RANDOM FOREST

Feby Wulandari Sembiring (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)
Arip Muhridan (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)
Mhd Ihsan Abidi (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)
Irfan Abadi Saragih (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)
Khairul (Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 May 2026

Abstract

Abstract: The phenomenon of brain rot poses a serious threat to the decline of students' cognitive function due to excessive exposure to low-quality digital content. This study aims to analyze the severity of brain rot and identify the most dominant digital behavioral factors of this phenomenon among students. As a solution to predict the level of risk quantitatively, this study implemented a machine learning approach using the Random Forest Regressor method. Data were collected from 500 student respondents through observation and questionnaires covering variables such as scrolling duration, app switching, GPA, study time, and cognitive symptoms. The test results showed that the model has not achieved optimal performance with an R2-Score of -0.177, RMSE 35.41, and MAE 31.1661. The low accuracy was influenced by inconsistencies in input data units and weak feature correlation in capturing non-linear patterns in the dataset. The study concluded that although scrolling duration was identified as the main influencing factor, the Random Forest model experienced high bias (underfitting). Therefore, hyperparameter optimization and data quality improvement are needed for future use. Keyword: brainrot; students; machine learning; random forest regressor; digital behavior.     Abstrak: Fenomena brainrot (pembusukan otak) menjadi ancaman serius bagi penurunan fungsi kognitif mahasiswa akibat paparan konten digital yang berlebihan dan tidak berkualitas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tingkat keparahan brainrot serta mengidentifikasi faktor perilaku digital yang paling mendominasi fenomena tersebut pada kalangan mahasiswa. Sebagai solusi untuk memprediksi tingkat risiko secara kuantitatif, penelitian ini mengimplementasikan pendekatan machine learning dengan metode Random Forest Regressor. Data dikumpulkan dari 500 responden mahasiswa melalui observasi dan kuesioner yang mencakup variabel durasi scrolling, app switching, IPK, lama waktu belajar, dan gejala kognitif. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan bahwa model belum mencapai performa optimal dengan nilai R2-Score sebesar -0,177, RMSE 35,41, dan MAE 31,1661. Rendahnya akurasi dipengaruhi oleh ketidakkonsistenan satuan data input serta korelasi fitur yang kurang kuat dalam menangkap pola non-linear pada dataset. Simpulan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun durasi scrolling teridentifikasi sebagai faktor pengaruh utama, model Random Forest mengalami high bias (underfitting) sehingga diperlukan optimasi hyperparameter dan penyempurnaan kualitas data untuk penggunaan di masa mendatang.. Kata kunci: brainrot; mahasiswa; machine learning; random forest regressor; perilaku digital.  

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JSSR

Publisher

Subject

Computer Science & IT Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Science and Social Research is accepts research works from academicians in their respective expertise of studies. Journal of Science and Social Research is platform to disclose the research abilities and promote quality and excellence of young researchers and experienced thoughts towards ...