Does Social Media Weaken Attention and Memory?

Screen Time and Cognitive Performance Even having a phone on the bedside table as soon as you wake up can lower cognitive performance.
The phone’s presence in your field of view occupies part of your mental resources.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated screen‑time limits for children to a public‑health issue.
Experts warn that prolonged screen use can negatively affect attention and memory processes.
Attention Span in Children and Adolescents Heavy use among children and teens shortens their attention span and, by fostering multitasking habits, makes focusing more difficult.
“Spending time simultaneously on multiple platforms and constantly receiving notifications leads to a scattered attention,” says Dr.
Kurt.
Digital Amnesia With information always at hand, the motivation to keep it in memory diminishes.
“We now remember where to find information rather than what it is,” Dr.
Kurt explains, noting that multitasking drains mental energy.
Suggested Solutions Limit entertainment screen time.
Turn off notifications.
Keep the phone out of sight.
Stop using screens at least one hour before bed.
Create “screen‑free focus blocks” during the day.
Increase memory‑activating activities such as reading and note‑taking.
“Technology is not our enemy.
However, when uncontrolled, it can silently erode our mental capacity.
Attention and memory are cognitive treasures that must be protected,” Dr.
Kurt stresses, emphasizing the importance of conscious use.