Screen Time Exposure and Domain-Specific Working Memory in Young Adults

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Digital screen utility is rising across all age groups.
• Prolonged screen time may negatively affect cognitive functions, including working memory.
• Previous research on screen time and working memory is limited, particularly in the Indian context and concerning active vs. passive exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of active and passive screen time on modality-specific working memory in young adults.
• To explore the relationship between screen time and visual vs. auditory working memory.
• To address the research gap in the Indian context regarding screen time effects on cognition.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 77 neurotypical individuals aged 18-22 years.
• Assessed working memory using auditory and visual reverse digit span tasks and the Corsi-backward task.
• Collected screen time data via a self-administered questionnaire on active and background usage.

Main Results:

• Active screen time showed a significant effect on visual reverse digit span.
• Findings support the visual superiority effect over auditory processing in relation to screen time.
• Correlation was observed exclusively within the visual domain, potentially due to screen content and demands.

Conclusions:

• Active screen time, not passive, significantly affects visual working memory in young adults.
• The visual superiority effect is supported, with active screen time potentially influencing visual information processing.
• Future research should use objective screen time measures and explore broader cognitive functions and populations.