Association Between Social Media Usage with Attention and Memory among Young Adults A Survey

BRIEF RESUME OF INTENDED WORK

INTRODUCTION

Cognition is a general term that includes perception, attention, thinking, and memory.Attention is known as a selective awareness of the environment or responsiveness to a stimulus or task without being distracted by other stimuli.  Attention disorders include impairments in sustained attention, selective attention, divided attention, or alternating attention.Memory is the process of registration, retention, and recall of past experiences, knowledge, and ideas. Short-term memory loss is associated with lesions of the limbic system, limbic association cortex (orbitofrontal areas), or temporal lobes. Long-term memory loss is associated with lesions of the hippocampus of the limbic system.[1]

The survey of university students showed an average of 1.5 to 5 hours usage for social media on a daily basis.[2] High-level consumption can negatively impact their socioemotional well-being, academic performance, and mental health. Regular use of platforms like Facebook—typically defined as daily usage for at least an hour—has been linked to poorer academic outcomes, psychological distress, and increased social pressure. [4] Despite these concerns, certain developmental factors, such as learning effective time management and maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline life, can help reduce these negative effects. [4]   While social media offers numerous benefits, growing evidence highlights cognitive concerns. Excessive and frequent usage has been associated with increased distraction, shortened attention spans, and potential memory impairments. [3]

NEED FOR THE STUDY

Excessive use of digital devices can lead to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and critical thinking. It explains the neurological impact of screen overuse, particularly on the prefrontal cortex, and links it to reduced physical activity, social interaction, and multitasking habits. [4]. There is a lack of sufficient research exploring the association of social media usage patterns with attention and memory among young adults in the Indian context.

Understanding how social media usage pattern impact attention and memory is important for physiotherapists, as these cognitive functions play a key role in patient education, communication, and adherence to treatment protocols. The study may serve as a foundation for future research aimed at developing targeted interventions. A deeper understanding of this relationship can also assist physiotherapists in developing more effective cognitive-based interventions, particularly for patients with attention or memory-related challenges. Moreover, it highlights the need to promote digital well-being among young adults. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between social media usage patterns and cognitive functioning, specifically attention and memory among the young adults.

Research Question

Is there any correlation between social media usage pattern with attention and memory among young adults?

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish a correlation between social media usage pattern with attention and memory among young adults.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To establish a correlation between social media usage patterns with attention and memory among young adults using the Attention Control Scale (ATTC), Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire.

BRIEF RESUME OF INTENDED WORK

INTRODUCTION

Cognition is a general term that includes perception, attention, thinking, and memory.Attention is known as a selective awareness of the environment or responsiveness to a stimulus or task without being distracted by other stimuli.  Attention disorders include impairments in sustained attention, selective attention, divided attention, or alternating attention.Memory is the process of registration, retention, and recall of past experiences, knowledge, and ideas. Short-term memory loss is associated with lesions of the limbic system, limbic association cortex (orbitofrontal areas), or temporal lobes. Long-term memory loss is associated with lesions of the hippocampus of the limbic system.[1]

The survey of university students showed an average of 1.5 to 5 hours usage for social media on a daily basis.[2] High-level consumption can negatively impact their socioemotional well-being, academic performance, and mental health. Regular use of platforms like Facebook—typically defined as daily usage for at least an hour—has been linked to poorer academic outcomes, psychological distress, and increased social pressure. [4] Despite these concerns, certain developmental factors, such as learning effective time management and maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline life, can help reduce these negative effects. [4]   While social media offers numerous benefits, growing evidence highlights cognitive concerns. Excessive and frequent usage has been associated with increased distraction, shortened attention spans, and potential memory impairments. [3]

NEED FOR THE STUDY

Excessive use of digital devices can lead to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and critical thinking. It explains the neurological impact of screen overuse, particularly on the prefrontal cortex, and links it to reduced physical activity, social interaction, and multitasking habits. [4]. There is a lack of sufficient research exploring the association of social media usage patterns with attention and memory among young adults in the Indian context.

Understanding how social media usage pattern impact attention and memory is important for physiotherapists, as these cognitive functions play a key role in patient education, communication, and adherence to treatment protocols. The study may serve as a foundation for future research aimed at developing targeted interventions. A deeper understanding of this relationship can also assist physiotherapists in developing more effective cognitive-based interventions, particularly for patients with attention or memory-related challenges. Moreover, it highlights the need to promote digital well-being among young adults. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between social media usage patterns and cognitive functioning, specifically attention and memory among the young adults.

Research Question

Is there any correlation between social media usage pattern with attention and memory among young adults?

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish a correlation between social media usage pattern with attention and memory among young adults.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To establish a correlation between social media usage patterns with attention and memory among young adults using the Attention Control Scale (ATTC), Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire.

BRIEF RESUME OF INTENDED WORK

INTRODUCTION

Cognition is a general term that includes perception, attention, thinking, and memory.Attention is known as a selective awareness of the environment or responsiveness to a stimulus or task without being distracted by other stimuli.  Attention disorders include impairments in sustained attention, selective attention, divided attention, or alternating attention.Memory is the process of registration, retention, and recall of past experiences, knowledge, and ideas. Short-term memory loss is associated with lesions of the limbic system, limbic association cortex (orbitofrontal areas), or temporal lobes. Long-term memory loss is associated with lesions of the hippocampus of the limbic system.[1]

The survey of university students showed an average of 1.5 to 5 hours usage for social media on a daily basis.[2] High-level consumption can negatively impact their socioemotional well-being, academic performance, and mental health. Regular use of platforms like Facebook—typically defined as daily usage for at least an hour—has been linked to poorer academic outcomes, psychological distress, and increased social pressure. [4] Despite these concerns, certain developmental factors, such as learning effective time management and maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline life, can help reduce these negative effects. [4]   While social media offers numerous benefits, growing evidence highlights cognitive concerns. Excessive and frequent usage has been associated with increased distraction, shortened attention spans, and potential memory impairments. [3]

NEED FOR THE STUDY

Excessive use of digital devices can lead to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and critical thinking. It explains the neurological impact of screen overuse, particularly on the prefrontal cortex, and links it to reduced physical activity, social interaction, and multitasking habits. [4]. There is a lack of sufficient research exploring the association of social media usage patterns with attention and memory among young adults in the Indian context.

Understanding how social media usage pattern impact attention and memory is important for physiotherapists, as these cognitive functions play a key role in patient education, communication, and adherence to treatment protocols. The study may serve as a foundation for future research aimed at developing targeted interventions. A deeper understanding of this relationship can also assist physiotherapists in developing more effective cognitive-based interventions, particularly for patients with attention or memory-related challenges. Moreover, it highlights the need to promote digital well-being among young adults. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between social media usage patterns and cognitive functioning, specifically attention and memory among the young adults.

Research Question

Is there any correlation between social media usage pattern with attention and memory among young adults?

AIM OF THE STUDY

To establish a correlation between social media usage pattern with attention and memory among young adults.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To establish a correlation between social media usage patterns with attention and memory among young adults using the Attention Control Scale (ATTC), Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire.

Method of Collection of Data:

•        SOURCE OF DATA – The data will be collected through social media platforms.

•        STUDY DESIGN – Cross-sectional survey

•        STUDY TYPE –Observational

•        DURATION OF STUDY - 6 months

•        STUDY POPULATION – Participants from age 18 - 25 years.

•        SAMPLING DESIGN – Snowball chain sampling

•        SAMPLING TYPE – Non-Probability Sampling

•        SAMPLE SIZE – 1183

 TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS:

1. Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) (r=0.96%)

2. Attention Control Scale (ATTC) (r = 0.80%)

3.  Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha=0.89)

7.2. Inclusion Criteria:

•        Participants from 18 to 25 years of age.

•        Participants who give consent to participate in the study.

•        Participants who can read and understand English.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants with any cognitive disorders.

After Obtaining Ethical Clearance from Institutional Research Committee. CTRI registration will be done.

                                                                                 All the participants will be examined on the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria before the study begins.