ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:
Social media is now a significant part of our lives; most people possess more than one social media account to stay connected with others and share information, media, and voice messages. It is very rare nowadays to meet someone without a smartphone or any social media presence. However, this use of technology and engagement with these applications also affects our brains and our approach to communication, learning, and processing information. What about through a neuroscientific approach? This article is ready to investigate how the use of social media and technology might affect the human brain through four different perspectives: emotions, attention span, sleep, and memory.
CONTENTS
The Neuroscience Behind Social Media's Influence on Brain Function and Memory
Achieve Undisturbed Sleep in the Era of Social Media Overload
The Impact of Sleep on Wellbeing
Explore the Emotional Landscape: How Social Media Shapes Our Feelings
Stress and Anxiety in the Age of Social Media: Understanding the Connection
Threads of Attention: How Social Media Impacts Focus and Learning
Future Research: Bridging Gaps in Understanding Social Media's Effects
The Neuroscience Behind Social Media's Influence on Brain Function and Memory
With the increasing prevalence of daily social media use via smartphones, neuroscience has delved deeper into understanding how our memory and brain are affected by this phenomenon. Memory has indeed become a focal point of study to investigate the potential influence of smartphone usage on its development. Research in this area has yielded various findings, both in scientific exploration and policy-making.
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued severe guidelines regarding children's screen time, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of digital media on health and well-being (World Health Organization: WHO, 2019). Research findings have revealed that extensive digital media use can significantly impact cognition and mental health. Effects include a reduction in working memory capacity, exacerbation of psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, as well as a negative influence on text comprehension, particularly when comparing screen reading to traditional print formats (Korte, 2020).
However, there exists a disparity in research findings regarding the effects of digital media use on cognitive function and mental health. This disagreement focuses on the importance of understanding how digital media are utilized, emphasizing that their impact depends on the manner and frequency of usage rather than inherent qualities of the media themselves (Korte, 2020). Not everyone is capable of using smartphones responsibly; some individuals are extremely addicted and spend most of their free time on them, while others are more conscientious and use social media primarily for connectivity, and engaging in non-screen activities.
Multitasking with digital media has been identified as a significant contributor to weakened cognitive function, particularly affecting working memory. Even the mere presence of a smartphone, not just its usage, has been shown to diminish working memory capacity. However, individuals who frequently engage in multitasking exhibit poorer cognitive performance, highlighting the adverse consequences associated with such behaviors (Korte, 2020).
Despite potential negative implications, the brain possesses an extraordinary capacity for adaptation. Intensive digital media use induces synaptic plasticity, a phenomenon that occurs in the synapses—the connections between neurons—enabling them to change and develop functional and structural connectivity in the brain (What Is Synaptic Plasticity?, 2018). This phenomenon affects learning and memory processes, with neurons exhibiting adaptability in response to digital stimuli, thereby shaping cognitive functions (Korte, 2020).
Digital media use can lead to behavioral addictions, such as internet gaming disorder, characterized by compulsive usage and loss of control. Neurologically, addictive behaviors involve alterations in specific brain circuits implicated in reward processing and impulse control, leading to structural changes in the brain and negative emotional states upon restriction of access to digital media (Korte, 2020).
Unfortunately, excessive social media use has been associated with detrimental effects on social skills and psychological well-being. Prolonged engagement with social media platforms may result in increased anxiety, diminished empathy, and addiction-like symptoms, potentially draining brain areas related to social interaction and impacting attention, cognition, and memory (Korte, 2020).
Social Media and Technology as a Catalyst that Affects Sleep
In our busy and technological society, the value of sleep for our overall health cannot be underestimated. Not only does it provide rest, but sleep serves as a basis for both our physical vitality and emotional well-being.
Research consistently emphasizes the critical role of enough sleep duration in improving memory and facilitating optimal learning. However, amidst our digital activities, numerous studies highlight a concerning trend: the damaging impact of social media on our sleep habits.
From childhood to adulthood, the duration of our rest has gradually declined. This decline is tangled with various factors associated with digital media consumption, including difficulties in falling asleep, compromised sleep quality (Brauch et al., 2023), untimely awakenings prompted by late-night messages, and daytime fatigue affecting our productivity.
One significant reason for this disruption is the blue light emitted by screens, particularly prevalent in mobile devices. Scientific studies (Chassiakos et al., 2016) clarify how this blue light suppresses the secretion of melatonin, disrupting our natural sleep-wake cycle.
The repercussions of inadequate sleep extend far beyond tiredness; they fill our cognitive functions and behavioral patterns. Our attention and behavior are remarkably affected, underscoring the indispensable role of sleep in our daily lives.
The Impact of Sleep on Wellbeing
It's critical to recognize the high impact that sleep has on our overall well-being. Extensive research has investigated the repercussions of sleep deprivation, particularly its effect on stress levels among individuals (Minkel et al., 2012). Studies consistently reveal that individuals who experience insufficient sleep are inclined to heightened stress levels compared to those who enjoy adequate rest. This insight emphasizes the significance of sleep in mitigating stress and nurturing emotional resilience.
Still, the interaction between sleep and social media usage reveals intriguing dynamics. Research suggests a potential correlation between social media use and psychological well-being, with implications for individuals' self-esteem and life satisfaction (Ellison et al., 2007). This relationship hints at how our digital habits may interlace with our mental and emotional states.
Through these findings, it becomes evident that sleep plays a role in shaping overall well-being. By prioritizing quality sleep, we not only support our physical but also fortify our mental and emotional health. In so doing, people improve their capacity to navigate the complexities of daily life.
Explore the Emotional Landscape: How Social Media Shapes Our Feelings
The constant usage of social media presents both challenges and gains for users' emotions across various demographics. Ordinary individuals encounter psychological, physical, and social repercussions in their daily lives (Sevilla, 2012). Despite the gains, constant social media usage shares symptoms related to other addictions, including salience, conflict, tolerance, withdrawal, relapse, and mood modification (Griffiths, 2005). However, neurobiological studies suggest that a complex network of brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, hippocampus, insular cortex, ventral striatum, and other interconnected regions, is involved in emotional inhibitory control (Davidson, 2000).
For individuals experiencing depression, social media serves as a means of employing emotional suppression techniques. This involves consciously directing cognitive resources towards distracting themselves from unwanted emotions, as well as monitoring stressful situations. Another tactic is emotion avoidance, which occurs when individuals experience negative emotions; the escalation of negative emotions also acts as a gain when one's negative emotions heighten the implementation of avoidance behaviors. In this specific scenario, the approach to emotion avoidance involves immersing oneself in social media. As a result, the reduction in negative feelings also enhances adaptability, leading to a reinforcement of reappraisal through Hebbian learning. This process can help individuals with mental health issues break free from a detrimental cycle.
Stress and Anxiety in the Age of Social Media: Understanding the Connection
Emotional imbalances such as stress and anxiety have been observed to negatively affect human brain functions. A study conducted at Karabuk University in Turkey regarding the impact of social media on cognition highlighted a clear connection: the more time individuals spend on social media and the more frequently they use it, the higher their levels of stress and anxiety tend to be. Furthermore, increased social media usage is associated with lower self-efficacy and heightened levels of stress and anxiety (Aydogan & Buyukyilmaz, 2017).
Discussing the pros of social media, it is essential to also highlight the cons. Individuals who haven't learned to manage their emotions or who feel unfulfilled have been found to experience a decline in life satisfaction levels. A signal is sent to the prefrontal cortex, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. These areas, involved in executive functions and emotional regulation, can result in feelings of inferiority (Kross et al., 2013). Social media offers an overwhelmingly positive impression of one’s social media friends, which prompts social comparisons, which in turn elevates the risk of negative self-appraisal (Blease, 2015)
Anxiety experienced by all social media users: The anxiety stemming from social media is often described as FOMO, a term popularized in contemporary literature, representing the "Fear Of Missing Out." This phenomenon occurs when individuals believe they've missed out on events or engaging content due to not being active on social media for a while. It's this fear of missing out that drives users to constantly check and keep tabs on their own and their friends' social media activity.
Threads of Attention: How Social Media Impacts Focus and Learning
The period during which an individual can concentrate on a topic without getting distracted or losing focus is known as their attention span. How can technologies, multiscreening, and social media impact our ability to focus? Should we be concerned about this influence? In 2015, Microsoft conducted a study involving Canadian consumers to analyze how often they utilize social media, digital tools, and similar platforms, as well as the influence of the digital world on their attention span. The study results were unexpected and contradicted the theory suggesting that "our attention span is in danger”. “The study showed that spending more time online doesn’t enhance the ability to filter distractions. Humans have always needed to focus on what’s important for survival, a skill that has now shifted online (Microsoft Attention Spans Research Report, 2015)”.
More recently, in 2023, one of the students at Halmstad University in Sweden conducted a study that echoes the findings of the Microsoft research. The study's results demonstrate people's capability to ignore distractions and concentrate on significant information (Phan, 2023). As we can see, the fundamental human skill of focusing on essential information, crucial for survival, has transitioned to the online realm. Microsoft proposed a theory underlying their findings based on "neuroplasticity," also known as neural or brain plasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's capability to adapt and restructure its neural connections. This describes how the brain can grow and reorganize, leading to changes in function depending on the new environment (Moheb Constandi, 2016).
These encouraging results indicate that digital technology may not inherently harm attention, which is positive news. However, it's essential to be mindful of maintaining a balance in social media usage. “After spending excessive time on social media consumers might experience attention fatigue. Endless scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok might tire out your brain, making it complicated to focus for an extended period (Phan, 2023)”.
Future Research: Bridging Gaps in Understanding Social Media's Effects
While significant steps have been made in understanding the impact of digital and social media on human cognition and well-being, further research is urgently needed to comprehend the specific mechanisms underlying these effects. Longitudinal studies, such as the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, aim to explore the complex interplay between digital media use and brain development across various age groups, thus informing strategies for promoting healthy digital media use and mitigating potential risks associated with excessive usage (Korte, 2020).
When focusing on aging brains, while the effects of digital media usage vary across age groups, targeted digital training programs have demonstrated beneficial effects on attention span and cognitive function in older individuals. These improvements are attributed to processes of structural plasticity in the brain, suggesting promising outcomes for enhancing cognitive function in elderly populations (Korte, 2020).
By exploring numerous aspects of social media and digital devices and their impact on the brain, researchers have evaluated both negative and positive sides. However, what they understand is that this is an integral part of society, and safeguarding mental health is vital. While there are many recommendations for the use of social media, not everyone follows them. Unfortunately, it remains a relatively new phenomenon for society, and researchers will continue to explore ways to mediate and prevent damage to the human mind.
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Photos from Pixabay.com
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Gloria:
Gloria De Felice, a first-year student of the Master's in Changing Education and Editor of the OSA Blog, was born in Venice, Italy, and moved to Finland in 2013 after obtaining a bachelor's degree in Communication Science. She further pursued studies in journalism and a bachelor´s in social services. With five years of experience as a kindergarten teacher, she learned Finnish to work in daycares, although she is still improving it. Her dream is to combine neuroscience, communication and pedagogical research.
Assel:
Assel Ospanova, a first-year master’s degree student in Changing Education program at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Her academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in Teacher of Physics from the Teacher Training Institute. After seven years experience in the corporate sectors, in 2019, she started a new journey as an English language teacher establishing her own language center. She is passionate about teaching and discovering effective ways to learn new things using insights from neuroscience.
Prince:
Nnaemeka Prince Ekene, a first-year master's degree student in the Changing Education program at the University of Helsinki, Finland, holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Technical Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is passionate about how nutrition affects learning. He ambitiously seeks to reform his home country's educational system through policy-making.
Gresa:
Gresa Avdiu is a first-year master's student in the program of Changing Education at the University of Helsinki. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Services with a focus on early childhood education. Additionally, she has been working in the field of education as an early childhood education teacher. She is passionate about education, psychology, social sciences, and neuroscience. Her dream is to become an expert in the field of education.