Title: Digital Alzheimer's: A Descriptive-Integrative Framework for Cognitive Fragmentation in the Social Media Age
Authors: Linh Le Gia, Tu Tran Quang Vinh, Ha Nguyen Manh
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: 45-51
Publication Date: 2026/06/28
Abstract:
This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study examined associations between social media usage intensity and cognitive performance in 180 university students (M age = 21.7), categorized into Heavy (?4 h/day, n = 62), Moderate (1-3 h/day, n = 71), and Light (<1 h/day, n = 47) groups. Heavier use was associated with lower performance across working memory (?²p = .27), episodic memory (.32), sustained attention (.30), executive function (.25), and processing speed (.28). Hierarchical regression indicated 57% of variance in composite cognitive scores was associated with the full predictor set. A statistical indirect effect of cognitive offloading on the social media-memory association was observed (B = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.36, -0.17]). EEG findings showed elevated theta and suppressed alpha during scrolling in heavy users. A descriptive-integrative framework with three empirically supported tiers (Memory Offloading, Attentional Fragmentation, Shallow Processing Loop) and one hypothesized extension (Social-Cognitive Erosion) is proposed; the framework is descriptive rather than causal, pending longitudinal validation. Results reflect associations within a student sample; causal claims require longitudinal replication.