Social Media’s Impact on the Brain: Role in IQ, Memory & Focus

Social media’s impact on the brain can be both positive and negative. For example, excessive scrolling can take a toll on your sleep pattern and shorten your attention span. On the other hand, social media offers a wide range of useful information and a space for creative expression.

All things considered, the key is moderation. To enjoy the perks of social media and avoid its pitfalls, you need to use it wisely.

In this article, we’ll explain the link between social media and brain function and reveal how social media affects cognitive skills. Additionally, we’ll offer some helpful tips on how to make the most of your online presence.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

• Social media’s impact on the brain can be both positive and negative, depending on how you use your online presence.
• The negative effects of social media on the brain include a shortened attention span, reduced focus, and disrupted sleep.
• In addition to cognitive functions, social media’s impact on the brain extends to neuroplasticity and emotional intelligence.
• Connecting with friends, gaining new knowledge, and sharing creative ideas are some of the positive effects of social media on intelligence.
• You can reduce social media's negative influence by muting notifications, implementing time limits, and doing a digital detox.

5+ Ways in Which Social Media Impacts the Brain

The ways social media impacts the brain range from changes in memory to disrupted sleep.

Let’s list and discuss all the effects of social media on the brain in detail:

#1. Attention Span

Social media’s impact on the brain stems from its fast-paced nature—there’s always something new happening online. Whenever you refresh your feed, a stream of information flows in without giving you a moment to process what you’ve previously seen. This snowballing of content trains the brain to hop from one stimulus to the next, weakening its ability to focus.

This happens because jumping between notifications and updates can break the flow of concentration needed for activities that call for critical thinking.

In short, social media can hinder the deep focus tied to high IQ performance. Over time, this attention scattering can leave its mark on productivity and mental sharpness.

#2. Dopamine Surge

If you’ve ever felt like you simply can’t put your phone down, there’s an explanation for that. Namely, each new notification floods the brain with dopamine—a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure—slowly leading into a rabbit hole of addiction.

Unfortunately, social media’s influence on the brain in this way can interfere with natural dopamine regulation, leading to cravings for instant gratification. Little by little, this dependence on quick hits of pleasure can chip away at the self-control and focus you need for long-term goals.

What’s more, it rewires the brain to prioritize short-term rewards over deeper, more fulfilling experiences. As a result, you may find activities like learning, reading, and problem-solving less appealing and even dull.

#3. Changes in Memory

The impact of social media on intelligence lies partly in its effect on memory. Nowadays, people heavily rely on social media to remind them of birthdays and other important events instead of remembering them.

That can come in handy, especially if you lead a busy life. Still, if you fully outsource your mental storage to digital platforms, recalling information by yourself can become challenging. Additionally, social media’s fast pace often replaces deep learning with shallow, fragmented memories.

In the long run, these effects can shift how you process and prioritize information, affecting cognitive flexibility—a key component of high and average IQ performance.

#4. Information Processing

The constant barrage of content trains the brain to prioritize speed over depth, leading to a habit of processing information superficially instead of engaging with it analytically.

For this reason, social media’s impact on the brain can change how you learn and make decisions—you may come to favor quick conclusions over deeper understanding.

This tendency toward surface-level engagement can slow down intellectual growth because it reduces the brain’s ability to connect ideas. Incessant scrolling may not weaken cognitive skills per se, but it can make it harder to invest time in activities that build intelligence.

#5. Sleep Disruption

Checking social media before bed can affect your sleep pattern, and the culprit is the blue light of digital screens. It stimulates the part of the brain responsible for keeping you alert and focused, making it perfect for daytime phone use but unsuitable for nighttime.

Namely, as natural light fades, the brain starts producing melatonin—a hormone signaling to the body it’s time to wind down. Due to its effects, the blue light interferes with this process, tricking the brain into thinking it’s still daytime.

This chain of events can result in a lack of quality sleep, which, in turn, can hinder brain functions like working memory and attention span. Sleep-deprived people often see dips in performance, whether they have a high, average, or low IQ.

#6. Social Media Comparison

If you spend too much time on social media, it’s inevitable to start comparing your life to carefully chosen (and often filtered) highlights of others. Unfortunately, the “grass is greener” mindset can wear your self-esteem thin and ultimately lead to feelings of inadequacy.

Over time, this emotional toll is bound to reflect on your cognitive performance. For example, this aspect of social media’s effects on the brain can cause anxiety or depression, both of which can drain energy and focus.

The truth is that emotional well-being is highly important for resilience and mental sharpness. Having this in mind, if you feel the negative effects of social media on your self-image, finding ways to reduce comparison can help you reclaim mental clarity and balance.

How Does Social Media Impact Neuroplasticity?

Social media impacts neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself—by reinforcing reward-seeking behaviors, potentially reshaping brain pathways over time.

This is mainly the case with teenagers and adolescents, especially because they use social media more often than any other group. However, that’s not the only reason—the prefrontal cortex, which controls reward processing and motivation, primarily develops during adolescence.

With this in mind, teenagers’ infamous impulsive behavior is no surprise. They naturally seek instant gratification, which social media is quick to offer, allowing them to socialize whenever they want.

Social media’s impact on brain development can lead to a rise in mental illnesses among teenagers, as they’re more responsive to environmental stimuli. Still, this depends on how a teen uses social media—its effects can also be positive.

In fact, adolescent psychologist Paul Weigle, M.D., states that social media can boost self-esteem in teenagers with a strong social support system. This suggests that social media’s influence isn’t fixed but rather shaped by the user’s environment and experiences.

Coincidentally, the study by Choudhury and McKinney reaches the same conclusion.

Can Social Media Influence Emotional Intelligence?

Social media can directly influence emotional intelligence in the following ways:

• Reducing face-to-face interactions: Social media has brought socialization to our fingertips, but that may do more damage than good. The more time you spend online, the less you interact face-to-face. As a result, you may have a hard time reading and understanding non-verbal cues—an essential part of emotional intelligence.
• Cyberbullying: With the advancement of technology, bullying has spread beyond school walls and taken a new, online form. Cyberbullying can seriously impact self-esteem and even lead to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. In the long run, this can take a toll on emotional regulation, lowering emotional intelligence.
• Dependency on social media for emotional support: Social media can offer a sense of community, but the virtual world still has limitations. Turning solely to it for emotional support can hinder emotional intelligence, as online interactions can’t replace in-person communication with trusted individuals.

3 Positive Effects of Social Media on the Brain

Some of the positive effects of social media on the brain include access to knowledge, networking and connection opportunities, and the space for creative expression.

Let’s explore them in detail:

#1. Access to Knowledge

If you use it right, social media can be a real treasure trove of useful information—it’s not all colorful stories and perfectly filtered pictures. Namely, there’s a lot of informative content in the form of tutorials, articles, and news on social media, especially on platforms like X/Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

These diverse perspectives can not only broaden your knowledge of certain topics but also help sharpen your critical thinking. Additionally, as you engage with high-quality content, your curiosity grows, opening your mind to new learning opportunities.

#2. Networking and Connecting

Networking and connecting are the most obvious perks of social media. With all the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, we don’t always get to spend as much time with our friends and family as we may want. Fortunately, we can use our online presence to connect with them.

Needless to say, social interactions, whether online or offline, are highly beneficial to the brain, as they promote problem-solving skills, memory, and emotional intelligence. Moreover, networking opportunities on platforms like LinkedIn can open new professional doors, stimulating the mind with fresh ideas and experiences.

#3. Space for Creative Expression

If you have a creative streak, social media may be the perfect place to express your talent. Whether it’s writing, photography, or music, there are many platforms where you can share your work and connect with like-minded audiences.

You can post your written work on X/Twitter or Facebook, publish your photos on Instagram, or create a YouTube channel to showcase your music videos.

Not only is this a fun way to use social media, but it’s also productive for the brain. Namely, there’s a link between IQ and creativity—both involve problem-solving, out-of-the-box thinking, and the ability to see connections others might miss.

How to Use Social Media Responsibly: 5 Powerful Tips

By using social media responsibly, you can reduce or even completely avoid its negative effects on the brain. Here are some tips on how to achieve this:

#1. Mute Notifications

Just because you have social media doesn’t mean you have to be available around the clock. The constant popping of notifications can interrupt your sleep, work, and other important activities, so muting them is a perfect way to have some time to yourself.

This way, you’ll strengthen your focus and give your brain a chance to recharge and process information at its own pace. In the long run, this practice can improve your mental clarity, ensure you stay in control of your time, and help you set healthy boundaries.

#2. Implement Time Limits

Scrolling can make you lose track of time, which is why implementing time limits is a great way to prevent social media from interfering with your daily life. This way, you’ll get a reminder when you’ve been online long enough, nudging you to step away and focus on other activities.

Luckily, most apps have built-in features to track and manage usage. You can take advantage of them to help you create healthier habits and avoid the mental fatigue that comes with endless scrolling.

#3. Do a Digital Detox

When muting notifications and setting time limits don’t do the job, it may be time for a digital detox. This means completely distancing yourself from social media, usually by deactivating your accounts.

Taking a break from your online activities can do wonders for your brain. It can help reset your mind, reduce stress, and give you space to reconnect with the world around you. Simply put, a digital detox is an opportunity to focus on self-care and recharge without the constant pull of online distractions.

#4. Curate Your Feed

As previously mentioned, social media has a lot of useful things to offer. However, it can be hard to get to them through the storm of content. This is why you should curate your feed by following accounts that align with your interests and values.

Carefully selecting who and what you give your time and attention to can make your online experience more enjoyable and enriching. Not only will you save mental energy, but you’ll also reduce cognitive overload and allow your brain to focus on what truly matters.

#5. Engage Mindfully

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of posts on social media, which is why you should strive to engage with online content mindfully. Otherwise, you can end up mindlessly scrolling without even realizing it, which can lead to exhaustion and a mind brimming with trivial information.

The best way to go about this is to set clear intentions before logging in. Do you want to connect with friends, find inspiration, or simply unwind? Whatever it is, having a reason for going online will help you navigate social media more consciously.

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Final Thoughts

While social media and intelligence don’t directly correlate, online activities can interfere with your cognitive functions, altering your mental performance. This primarily applies to changes in attention span and memory, but also information processing and sleep disruption.

However, social media’s impact on the brain isn’t all bad. If you use your online presence wisely, you can learn new things, create meaningful connections, and share your creative ideas.

Still, balancing between the perks and pitfalls of social media requires self-control and mindfulness. Choosing what to follow and when to go online is paramount to ensuring a healthy relationship with these platforms.