Social Media and Cognitive Impact Lecture Notes

CMN 174 Week 2 Day 1 Study Notes

Social Media

• Attendance Question #1

  • Write a definition for "Social Media"

  • Aim for at least a sentence

  • Consider: What differentiates social media from other forms of media?

Previous Definitions of Social Media

• Social media is defined as digital technologies that emphasize user-generated content or interaction (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010; Terry, 2009).

• Various definitions focus on channel characteristics, recognizing the directionality of messages or employing specific platforms like Facebook and Twitter to illustrate interaction modes (Howard & Parks, 2012).

• Despite multiple definitions, a formal, concise, and universally accepted definition of social media is still non-existent.

More Definitions of Social Media

• Some definitions focus on the essence of message construction in social media:

  • Example: Social media as platforms that "facilitate online communication, networking, and/or collaboration."

  • Other definitions describe it as "a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, allowing for the creation and exchange of User-Generated Content."

  • The least precise definition characterizes it as "digital technologies that allow people to connect, interact, produce, and share content."

• These definitions are problematic as they could apply to other forms of communication technologies, such as email, and may overlook unique technological and social affordances that define social media.

Course Definition of Social Media

• Social media can be characterized as:

  • Internet-based, disentrained, and persistent channels of masspersonal communication that facilitate user perceptions of interaction.

  • Derives value primarily from user-generated content.

  • Allows users to opportunistically interact and selectively self-present, both in real-time and asynchronously, engaging with broad or narrow audiences.

Key Points Pertaining to Social Media

• Internet-based: Accessed through the internet.

• Disentrained: The medium removes traditional constraints of time and space.

• Persistent channels: The content remains accessible over time.

• Perceived interactivity: Users feel they are engaging actively.

• User-generated value: Content is created by users rather than institutions.

• Masspersonal communication: Blurs the lines between personal and mass media communications.

Contemporary Examples of Social Media (Derived from Carr and Hayes' Definition)

Tethered Self (Turkle, 2011)

• The concept of the "Tethered Self" relates to the phenomenon of individuals being perpetually connected and influenced by technology, leading to a sense of attachment or being "tethered" to devices (phones, web).

Key Characteristics of Tethered Self

• Constant Connection: Individuals possess an ongoing connection to social networks and the internet.

• External Validation: Seeking approval and recognition through digital interactions.

• Altered Intimacy & Solitude: Changes in personal relationships and solitude experiences.

• Fragmented Attention: The inability to concentrate due to constant digital interruptions.

• Digital Identity: How one's online presence shapes their self-perception and validation.

Affordances in Social Media

• Affordance Definition (Gibson, 1977): "A unique combination of qualities that specifies what the object affords us."

• Norman's Definition (1988): "The perceived and actual properties of the thing, primarily those fundamental properties that determine how the thing could possibly be used."

• Social Media Affordances: The perceived and actual properties of social media, shaped by technological, social, and contextual factors, which enable and constrain specific platform uses.

Key Affordances of Social Media

• Visibility: The ability to see others’ content.

• Searchability: Content can be easily found by users.

• Addressability or Reachability: The extent to which users can be contacted.

• Editability: Content can be altered post-publication.

• Persistence: Content remains accessible (must be available for users) and Immutable (the message should remain consistent).

Brain Rot

• Attendance Question #1: Define "Brain Rot" in a sentence and provide an example of a specific media impact.

Definition of Brain Rot (Yousef et al., 2025)

• "Brain rot," cited as the Oxford Word of the Year 2024, denotes cognitive decline and mental exhaustion due to considerable exposure to low-quality online materials, especially from social media.

Implications of Brain Rot

• Suggests deterioration of an individual’s mental state resulting from the overconsumption of trivial content.

Symptoms of Brain Rot

• Include prolonged screen time, anxiety when disconnected from mobile devices, and decreased ability to engage in meaningful activities.

• Although not formally recognized as a medical condition, brain rot is a pressing concern for younger generations exposed to persistent screen usage.

• Statistics indicate over 4 billion internet-connected young adults who average 6.5 hours daily online, often consuming low-value content passively.

Research Focus on Brain Rot (Yousef et al., 2025)

• Investigates causes and effects, rooted in excessive social media use, video games, and other digital platforms.

• Analyzes behaviors leading to recognition of brain rot and its links to cognitive functions.

• Discusses strategies that young adults employ against this condition.

Factors Contributing to Recognition of Brain Rot Among Young Adults

• Excess Screen Time: Overuse of devices connected to internet.

• Addiction to Social Networking: Dependence on social media platforms.

• Cognitive Overload: Information saturation causing mental unresponsiveness.

Digital Behaviors Associated with Brain Rot

• Doomscrolling: Continuously scrolling through negative news.

• Zombie Scrolling: Mindlessly consuming content without engaging.

• Social Media Engagement Loops: Cycles of engagement that promote constant use.

• Emotional and Cognitive Control: Regulating emotions and thoughts in the face of digital stimuli.

Impact of Brain Rot on Cognitive Functions

• Influences various cognitive capabilities including:

  • Distorted Memory: Inaccurate recollections due to overconsumption of media.

  • Attention Span: Reduction in focus on tasks.

  • Problem-Solving Abilities: Difficulty resolving issues due to cognitive fatigue.

  • Cultural and Social Considerations: How societal factors shape perceptions of digital engagement.

• Effective Strategies for Mitigating Brain Rot:

  • Regulating screen time.

  • Curating media feeds for quality content.

  • Integrating non-digital educational materials.

  • Promoting social support and community participation.

Executive Function Impairment by Brain Rot

• Factors impacting executive functions (memory, planning, decision-making) driven by dopamine-fueled feedback loops worsen the condition.

• Suggested strategies include:

  • Limiting screen time.

  • Curating digital content advantages.

  • Engaging in offline activities.

Education

• Bui et al. (2023) noted challenges and opportunities associated with social media in students' lives, prompting interest in integrating social media into English Language Teaching (ELT) practices.

• Potential benefits identified include:

  • Improving writing skills through practice on digital platforms.

  • Offering authentic writing experiences.

  • Providing immediate peer feedback.

  • Increasing student motivation for writing tasks.

Networked Communication & Transaction Theory (Masood et al., 2020)

• Research Framework: Examines the complexity of social media interactions through various influences.

Hypotheses and Relationships Explored

• H1: Socialization positively correlates with excessive SNS use.

• H2: Social comparison positively influences engagement with social networks.

• H8: Cognitive behavioral control negatively affects the outcome of excessive SNS use.

Outcomes & Moderator Variables

• Change in academic performance directly correlates with increased cognitive distraction.

• Engagement is moderated by cognitive-behavioral control based on levels of usage.

Attention Span

• The average human attention span has notably altered over time:

  • In the year 2000: Average attention span at 12 seconds.

  • Current average attention span: 9 seconds.

  • Average attention span of a goldfish is around 8 seconds.

Concerns About the Effects of Social Media on Cognitive Development (Naik et al., 2025)

• The pervasive use of social media among children and young adults raises critical questions about its cognitive impact.

Attention and Memory

• Studies reveal significant distraction during social media use, with mult-tasking linked to attention problems.

• Excessive social media use can result in poorer memory performance, particularly for platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

• In contrast, some platforms (like Facebook) enhance language skills among users, improving communication and writing abilities.

Executive Functioning

• Executive functions, including decision-making and problem-solving, are critically influenced by social media usage patterns.

• Addiction to social media creates deficits in cognitive flexibility and impulsivity, negatively affecting decision-making abilities.

• Findings present mixed effects of social media on cognitive health; while excessive use correlates with impaired attention, certain educational platforms can bolster cognitive skills.

Questions?

• Open floor for any inquiries or clarification regarding the discussed material.