The Effect of Social Media on College Students' Emotions and Thinking
Author Information
Author(s): Aitken Anna, Jounghani Ali Rahimpour, Carbonell Laura Moreno, Kumar Anupam, Crawford Seth, Bowden Audrey, Hosseini S. M. Hadi
Hypothesis
How does social media consumption affect executive functioning and emotions in college students?
Conclusion
Social media consumption negatively impacts executive functioning in college students, leading to impairments in cognitive tasks.
Supporting Evidence
- 69% of adults and 81% of teens in the U.S. use social media.
- 55% of participants were classified as addicted to social media.
- Participants had an average Instagram usage of 5 hours per week.
- Significant impairments were observed in cognitive tasks after social media exposure.
- Increased mPFC activity indicated heightened cognitive effort.
- Decreased dlPFC and vlPFC activity were associated with impaired working memory.
- Reductions in IFG activity correlated with difficulties in inhibiting motor responses.
- Emotional changes were minimal, with reduced happiness in the control group.
Takeaway
Using social media a lot can make it harder for college students to think clearly and focus.
Methodology
Participants were assessed pre- and post-social media use through executive functioning tasks and emotion questionnaires using a wearable fNIRS system.
Potential Biases
Potential self-reporting bias in emotion questionnaires.
Limitations
The study may not account for long-term effects of social media use.
Participant Demographics
College students, with 55% classified as addicted to social media.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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