The impact of Digital Platforms on human cognition and mental health: A literature Review

Abstract

In the era of rapid digitalization,  the concept of "environment" has expanded beyond physical and natural boundaries to include the digital spaces that shape human daily life. In recent years, with the emergence of smartphones, people worldwide have adopted and expanded their use of the internet in every aspect of their daily lives, including communication, education, shopping, and entertainment. Nowadays, the world is largely dependent on digital platforms, which make daily life easier and more advanced. Digital platforms not only influence how individuals communicate, process information, and learn, but also include video-making and sharing applications and online services designed to engage through personal contact and continuous social connectivity. Besides this, these platforms provide social interaction worldwide by sharing all kinds of positive and negative information, news, and videos.

However, excessive use of these platforms affects human cognition and mental health. Mobile phones used to be mounted on walls, but now people cannot live without their cell phones in one hand at all times. The issue is much more complex than it seems. For example, on platforms like TikTok, many people show themselves diagnosed with ADHD and autism. In some cases, it is clear that they are highly addicted to social media, which affects their socialization and concentration. People are often preoccupied with their digital devices while driving, eating, or even trying to meditate. This study aims to examine how people use digital platforms and how deeply this may affect our minds.

This study adopts a review-based approach, analyzing recent academic research on digital media usage and how it affects mental conditions, such as lack of sleep, addiction, memory function, emotional stability, and psychological stability. It may have limitations as it is based on previously published research and does not include primary data collection. However, this study shows both the negative and positive sides of digital platforms and highlights the importance of balancing digital habits to protect cognitive function and mental well-being.