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Higher Media Multi-Tasking Activity Is Associated with Smaller Gray-Matter Density in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex

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  • Kep Kee Loh
  • Ryota Kanai

Abstract

Media multitasking, or the concurrent consumption of multiple media forms, is increasingly prevalent in today’s society and has been associated with negative psychosocial and cognitive impacts. Individuals who engage in heavier media-multitasking are found to perform worse on cognitive control tasks and exhibit more socio-emotional difficulties. However, the neural processes associated with media multi-tasking remain unexplored. The present study investigated relationships between media multitasking activity and brain structure. Research has demonstrated that brain structure can be altered upon prolonged exposure to novel environments and experience. Thus, we expected differential engagements in media multitasking to correlate with brain structure variability. This was confirmed via Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) analyses: Individuals with higher Media Multitasking Index (MMI) scores had smaller gray matter density in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Functional connectivity between this ACC region and the precuneus was negatively associated with MMI. Our findings suggest a possible structural correlate for the observed decreased cognitive control performance and socio-emotional regulation in heavy media-multitaskers. While the cross-sectional nature of our study does not allow us to specify the direction of causality, our results brought to light novel associations between individual media multitasking behaviors and ACC structure differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Kep Kee Loh & Ryota Kanai, 2014. "Higher Media Multi-Tasking Activity Is Associated with Smaller Gray-Matter Density in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0106698
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106698
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthew Botvinick & Leigh E. Nystrom & Kate Fissell & Cameron S. Carter & Jonathan D. Cohen, 1999. "Conflict monitoring versus selection-for-action in anterior cingulate cortex," Nature, Nature, vol. 402(6758), pages 179-181, November.
    2. Bogdan Draganski & Christian Gaser & Volker Busch & Gerhard Schuierer & Ulrich Bogdahn & Arne May, 2004. "Changes in grey matter induced by training," Nature, Nature, vol. 427(6972), pages 311-312, January.
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    1. Luo, Jiutong & Yeung, Pui-sze & Li, Hui, 2020. "The relationship among media multitasking, academic performance and self-esteem in Chinese adolescents: The cross-lagged panel and mediation analyses," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    2. Petroutsatou Kleopatra & Sifiniadis Anestis, 2016. "Exploring the consequences of human multitasking in industrial automation projects: a tool to mitigate impacts – Part II," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 10(1), pages 1770-1777, December.
    3. Josh A. Firth & John Torous & Joseph Firth, 2020. "Exploring the Impact of Internet Use on Memory and Attention Processes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-12, December.

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