Psychological and Cognitive Impacts of Continuous Digital Exposure
Author : Taleah Rakshan and Syeda Gousia
Abstract :
This research investigates the psychological and cognitive consequences of continuous digital exposure among students and professionals in the digital learning era. It aims to understand how excessive screen time, multitasking, and dependence on technology influence attention span, learning efficiency, and mental well-being. It also examines phenomena such as digital addiction, cognitive overload, and the “Google effect,” connecting them to educational performance and work productivity. Methods: The study follows a qualitative descriptive approach under the interpretivist paradigm. A systematic literature review was conducted through databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, and Science Direct, emphasizing peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2024. The collected data were thematically analysed to identify recurring cognitive and psychological impacts, integrating theories from cognitive psychology, digital behaviour, and education. Findings reveal that prolonged digital exposure weakens working memory, reduces deep learning, and shortens attention spans. Excessive digital multitasking increases mental fatigue and diminishes productivity. The reliance on technology for information recall, known as the Google effect, alters the way memory is structured. Psychologically, continuous connectivity fosters anxiety, digital addiction, and burnout. The blurred line between digital work and rest disrupts mental recovery, leading to emotional exhaustion and decreased well-being. Continuous digital exposure reshapes both how individuals think and how they feel. It improves accessibility and collaboration but diminishes focus, creativity, and emotional regulation when unmoderated. Institutions should integrate digital wellness into educational and corporate systems, encouraging mindful screen use, reflective learning, and cognitive balance. The study highlights the urgent need for digital literacy policies that protect mental and cognitive health in an era of constant connectivity.
Keywords :
Digital exposure, Cognitive overload, Attention span, Brain rot, Google effect, Digital pedagogy.
