The Impact of Excessive Smartphone and Social Media Use on College Students’ Ability To Sustain Focus, Maintain Productivity, and Think Creatively
The use of smartphones and social media is becoming increasingly prominent, directly modifying the way humans interact with the world around them. Although these technologies offer convenience and access to information, they also negatively impact university students’ focus and productivity, as excessive use has been associated with neurological and cognitive changes. In this evidence-based synthesis paper, I reviewed 21 empirical studies published between 2016 and 2025, all of which examined the effects of excessive smartphone and social media use on focus, productivity, and creative thinking among university students. The studies indicated that constant exposure to information promotes cognitive overload, which in turn reduces individuals’ ability to sustain attention. This may be associated with structural and functional brain changes similar to those observed in behavioral addictions, even though the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not recognize smartphone addiction as a formal condition. Excessive smartphone use has been shown to be related to difficulties with multitasking, fear of missing out (FOMO), and nomophobia, which is a psychological fear of being disconnected from one’s smartphone. These factors may compromise self-regulation and academic performance in university students. A curious finding was the concept of technoference, in which the mere presence of the device, which may negatively affect concentration and learning due to the habitual urge to check messages and social media. Not all studies have pointed in the same direction regarding excessive smartphone use and academic performance. Some researchers have suggested that smartphone use does not necessarily affect performance directly, but rather through mediating factors such as procrastination and mind-wandering. Small sample sizes and geographical restrictions were limitations in the studies I reviewed. Future research should explore strategies to promote healthy digital habits so that technology use enhances, rather than hinders, students’ academic performance and well-being.
PSY 499, Senior Capstone
Erin Mueller
Goodrich 209
10:30 – 11 AM
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