By Nadra Nuhaad
Over the decade, social media platforms were developed. Specifically in the quantity and availability of different sources and media that are being spread to us. Information was spread here and there within a rapid amount of time due to social media. However, without realizing the impact of social media has taken a toll on our brains specifically in memory and cognition.
The widespread accessibility of information on social media has made it easy for individuals to access a variety of content anytime and anywhere. However, this accessibility has also led to the proliferation of disinformation, potentially resulting in inaccurate memory formation. Social media news often utilizes sensational language, giving it a semblance of credibility and enhancing its memorability.
The continuous sharing and paraphrasing of information on social media contribute to the brain perceiving repeated discussions as truth. Moreover, the ease of access to information on social media has shifted the focus from remembering events to knowing where and how to find information, impacting traditional memory recall processes. However, in different individuals, the effects may vary as researchers continue to investigate this matter.
Our psychological cognitive functions are also affected by this matter. Research has shown that a high use of social media has affected individuals by inhibiting irrelevant information and having a short working memory (short memory loss). Moreover, a study has mentioned that generally, the ability to concentrate, and keep information in memory and executive functioning correlates with excessive access to social media (Stieger & Wunderl, 2022). For instance, an adolescent utilizing their phones multitasks, leading to a delayed completion of their primary tasks.
In conclusion, the evolution of social media over the past decades has transformed the ways of individuals by memory and cognition. Consequently, it leaves unintended consequences for our brains in how we remember and react to information in our daily lives. However, the effects may vary in different individualsas researchers continue to investigate this matter. Much research has been done yet limitations are still profound leading to the need to have a wider range of research by population.
Sources:
Neika Sharifian, & Zahodne, L. B. (2020). Daily associations between social media use and memory failures: the mediating role of negative affect. The Journal of General Psychology, 148(1), 67–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.2020.1743228
Molokotos, E. (2018, December 6). The Effects of Media on Memory. Psych Central; Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-effects-of-media-on-memory
Stieger, S., & Wunderl, S. (2022). Associations between social media use and cognitive abilities: Results from a large-scale study of adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 135, 107358–107358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107358
Lara, R. S., & Bokoch, R. (2021). Cognitive functioning and social media: Has technology changed us? Acta Psychologica, 221, 103429–103429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103429
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