The Relationship Between Problematic Social Media Use and Memory Performance in Adolescents

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine on July 15, 2026, examined the relationship between problematic social media use and cognitive performance in adolescents. Analyzing data from 4,809 adolescents participating in the ABCD study in the US, the research tracked usage habits over time.

The study analyzed data collected between 2018 and 2022, examining the second- and fourth-year evaluations of the adolescents. Taking demographic characteristics, mental health symptoms, and cognitive scores into account, it was observed that groups whose problematic social media use progressed from low to moderate or moderate to high achieved lower test scores compared to the group with no or low levels of problematic use. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe defines problematic social media use through difficulty in control, withdrawal-like symptoms, and negative consequences in daily life.