Distracted in a Hyperconnected World: a Literature Review of Social Media and Distraction.

Social media platforms have become an omnipresent force in contemporary society, fundamentally transforming communication and information access. However, accumulating evidence suggests that excessive social media usage can detrimentally impact attention and contribute to distraction, thereby compromising productivity and affecting various domains such as academics, professional engagements, and social interactions. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between social media and distraction, this dissertation conducted a systematic literature review to identify pertinent articles exploring the effects of social media on distraction. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the interplay between social media and distraction across cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dimensions. Findings pertaining to the cognitive dimension elucidate the impact of social media on the ability to sustain focus, as evidenced by an eye-tracking study. The behavioral dimension reveals that frequent switching between social media and other cognitive tasks incurs a cost of divided attention, resulting in compromised performance and reduced productivity. Moreover, the emotional dimension encompasses phenomena such as Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) and social comparison, which contribute to the emotional aspects of distraction. In conclusion, the utilization of social media exerts a negative influence on the cognitive, behavioral, and affective components of attention, thereby engendering disruptive consequences for productivity, academic achievements, professional endeavors, and social interactions. By shedding light on these dynamics, this research underscores the significance of cultivating mindful social media habits and developing strategies to mitigate distraction, fostering healthier and more focused engagement with digital platforms.