This is Your Brain on Social Media
How Social Media Use is Changing our Attention Spans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.1860Keywords:
social media, psychology, Attention SpansAbstract
Social media has dramatically reshaped human interaction and cognition. It influences
how people communicate, behave and process information. Even though it does have its
benefits, such as enhanced communication and global connectivity there are also negative
impacts. One critical area of concern is the effect of social media on attention span, especially
among the younger generation. This effect has been exacerbated by the rise of short form
content which has encouraged behaviors driving instant gratification. This review summarizes
studies that have been done on social media and its correlation with attention span. The
majority of psychological and neuroimaging studies show that excessive time on social media
correlates with shorter attention spans, reduced academic performance, as well as poorer
mental health and overall well-being. However, not all research supports this conclusion with
some studies showing no significant correlation between social media usage and attention span.
The mixed results highlight the need for more comprehensive studies that can account for these
nuances. Future research should adopt more longitudinal studies and a standardized attention
span test in order to completely understand the correlation of social media on attention span.
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