The Relationship Between Screen Time, Media Multitasking and Executive Functions in Adolescents
Author:
Chia-Hsin Chen (DanFeng High School, New Taipei City), Chun-Yu Kuo (Department of Adult and Continuing Education, National Taiwan Normal University)
Vol.&No.：Vol. 70, No. 1
Date：March 2025
Pages：41-74
DOI：https://doi.org/10.6209/JORIES.202503_70(1).0002
Abstract：
The rising use of digital devices, especially among youth, raises concerns. Many engage in media multitasking, using multiple devices simultaneously or switching tasks, prompting questions about its effects on cognition and well-being. While some argue media multitasking may enhance certain cognitive skills, others warn of potential drawbacks like cognitive depletion and reduced attentional control. Debate also surrounds its impact on psychological health, with conflicting findings regarding its association with depression and social anxiety. In Taiwan, research on media multitasking’s impact on cognition and well-being is limited. This study aims to address this gap by investigating digital device usage and media multitasking among Taiwanese adolescents and their effects on cognitive functions and psychological health. Specifically, the study aims to: 1. Assess digital device usage and media multitasking prevalence among Taiwanese adolescents. 2. Explore the relationship between media multitasking and cognitive functions, including attention, working memory, and inhibitory control. 3. Investigate the association between media multitasking and psychological well-being, including depression, anxiety, and overall life satisfaction.
By addressing these objectives, the study aims to enhance our understanding of how media multitasking impacts cognitive functions and psychological well-being in Taiwanese adolescents. This research can inform educators, policymakers, and parents in promoting healthy digital media habits and overall well-being.
The literature review examines how media multitasking relates to cognitive functions and mental health. Studies explore its impact on working memory, attention, task-switching, and inhibitory control. Initial findings suggested poorer performance on tasks requiring high cognitive load for high media multitaskers, but subsequent research yielded inconsistent results due to varying assessment methods and sample characteristics.
Regarding the relationship between media multitasking and attention, studies have suggested that individuals who engage in high media multitasking may have difficulty filtering out irrelevant information, leading to poorer attentional performance (Uncapher & Wagner, 2018). However, findings regarding this relationship have been inconsistent across studies (Baumgartner et al., 2014; Minear et al., 2013; Seddon et al., 2018). Potential mechanisms underlying this association include heightened arousal levels, impaired top-down attentional control, and personality traits associated with impulsivity.
Furthermore, research has explored the association between media multitasking and cognitive flexibility, with some studies reporting higher levels of task-switching costs among high media multitaskers (Alzahabi & Becker, 2013; Wiradhany & Nieuwenstein, 2017). However, other studies have failed to find significant differences in task-switching performance between high and low media multitaskers (Cardoso-Leite et al., 2016; Gorman & Green, 2016; Seddon et al., 2018). These discrepancies may be attributed to variations in task demands and assessment methods.
Finally, the literature suggests a link between media multitasking and mental health outcomes, particularly depression and anxiety (Becker et al., 2013; Reinecke et al., 2017). Excessive digital device use and media multitasking have been associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety symptoms, although findings have been mixed regarding the nature of this relationship. Some studies have proposed that media multitasking may serve as a coping mechanism for anxiety, while others suggest that it may contribute to increased stress and decreased well-being.
In summary, while there is evidence suggesting associations between media multitasking, cognitive functions, and mental health, the literature also highlights inconsistencies and the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and causal relationships.
Method
Participants
Initially, 339 native Mandarin speakers were recruited through course instructors. After excluding incomplete or erroneous responses, along with excessive media users and one participant with intellectual disabilities, 291 participants remained (52% female, average age 12.44 years).
Research Tools
(A) Cognitive Function Assessment Tools
Working Memory Span Task: Modified from Engle et al. (1999) to assess working memory span.
Rule Switching Task: Utilized the Heart and Flower Task (Davidson et al., 2006) to assess rule-switching ability.
Attention Network Task: Adapted from Costa et al. (2008) to assess alerting, orienting, and executive control.
(B) Media Multitasking and Psychological Adaptation Assessment
Media Multitasking Index (MMI): Utilized Ophir et al.’s (2009) questionnaire to assess media multitasking behavior.
Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11): Employed Patton et al.’s (1995) scale to measure impulsivity.
Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D): Used Radloff’s (1977) scale to assess depressive symptoms.
Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS): Employed Diener et al.’s (1985) scale to measure life satisfaction.
Results
In the digital era, the usage of digital devices and media multitasking has become a widely discussed topic. Our study, involving 291 participants, found that the average weekly usage of digital devices was 30.98 hours, showing a significant positive correlation with media multitasking. However, despite the correlation between the two, it was not particularly strong. Therefore, we investigated their relationships separately with cognitive function and mental health.
Initially, we found no significant correlation between the usage of digital devices and the breadth of working memory, but a significant negative correlation was observed with media multitasking. In tests of cognitive flexibility, we found varying response times across different stages, with no relation to either digital device usage or media multitasking.
Further examination of attention-related indicators revealed that while the accuracy in attention network tasks showed no significant correlation with digital device usage, it exhibited a significant negative correlation with media multitasking. Response times, on the other hand, showed no significant correlation with usage time but exhibited some correlations across different cue conditions, such as a negative correlation with usage time in the central cue condition.
Lastly, in our analysis of inhibitory function, we found no significant correlation between digital device usage and accuracy, but a significant negative correlation was found with media multitasking. Concerning mental health, we observed a significant positive correlation between media multitasking and psychological depression, while no significant correlation was found with life satisfaction.
In summary, the usage of digital devices and media multitasking exhibits certain associations with cognitive function and mental health, particularly evident in the negative correlation between media multitasking and attention and inhibitory function. These findings offer a deeper understanding of the relationship between individual behavior and psychological states in the digital age, emphasizing the potential impact of digital media usage on cognitive function and mental well-being.
Discussion
The study investigated digital device usage and media multitasking among adolescents, aiming to understand their impact on cognitive function and adaptation. It provided novel insights by focusing on adolescents, filling a gap in the literature on media multitasking in Taiwan. Results showed a positive correlation between digital device usage and media multitasking, with adolescents spending an average of 30.98 hours per week on digital devices. Media multitasking was negatively correlated with working memory but not cognitive flexibility. It was also associated with lower cognitive performance and higher levels of depression. However, the correlations were relatively weak. Future research should explore the bidirectional relationship between digital device usage, media multitasking, cognitive function, and adaptation across different age groups.
Keywords：adolescents, media multitasking, executive functions, screen time