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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Measuring Neural and Behavioral Activity During Ongoing Computerized Social Interactions: An Examination of Event-Related Brain Potentials

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Cognitive functioning and social media: Has technology changed us?

Rachel S Lara¹, Rebecca Bokoch¹

¹California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, 1000 South Fremont Ave., Unit 5, Alhambra, CA 91803, United States of America.

Acta Psychologica

|October 25, 2021

Summary

This study found no significant link between high social media use and changes in cognitive functions like working memory or information inhibition. Further research is needed to explore potential connections.

Keywords:

Attention Cognitive functioning PsycINFO code 2340 Social media Working memory

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Media Psychology

Background:

Social media's impact on mood is widely studied.
Its effects on cognitive functions remain less understood.
Previous research suggests potential, but unconfirmed, links between social media use and cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between social media usage levels and cognitive abilities.
To test the hypothesis that high social media use correlates with lower inhibitory control and higher working memory capacity.
To explore how social media engagement influences specific cognitive functions.

Main Methods:

Seventy participants completed a social media use questionnaire (categorized as low, average, or high).
Cognitive performance was assessed using the Stroop test (for inhibition) and Corsi test (for working memory).
One-way ANCOVAs were employed, controlling for age, gender, race, and education.

Main Results:

No statistically significant relationship was found between the level of social media use and working memory capacity.
No significant association was identified between social media use and the ability to inhibit irrelevant information.
The study did not support the initial hypothesis regarding social media's impact on these cognitive functions.

Conclusions:

Current findings suggest that social media use, at the levels examined, does not significantly affect working memory or inhibitory control.
Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.
Further investigation is warranted to fully understand the complex interplay between digital media consumption and cognitive processes.