July 2016 PMID 27063068

Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults.

M Moisala, V Salmela, L Hietajärvi, E Salo, S Carlson, O Salonen, K Lonka, K Hakkarainen, K Salmela-Aro, K Alho

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Mentions

29
Peak: 3 in Oct 2025
across 5 sources since Oct 2022

Extended reach

394,675
potential audience

Total likes

9,421

Video views

385,568

Mentions per month

Oct 2022 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News16 articles
  • YouTube7 videos
  • X / Twitter3 posts
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall sentiment reflects agreement with the research, as seen in posts noting that multitaskers are more distractible and have reduced focus, supported by mentions of increased prefrontal activity. The tone ranges from factual references to calls for awareness, indicating a moderate level of interest and engagement in understanding the implications of media multitasking on youth attention and distractibility.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree with the study's findings, highlighting that media multitasking leads to distractibility and poorer focus.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, with some posts emphasizing the importance of understanding media multitasking's effects, though the tone remains generally cautious.

EngagementModerate engagement

The comments demonstrate some engagement through referencing specific research results and discussing implications for youth focus and attention.

ImpactModerate impact

The social discussions suggest recognition of the study's significance in raising awareness about media multitasking's effects on cognitive functions.

Abstract in brief

  • Media multitasking in adolescents and young adults is linked to greater distractibility and increased activity in prefrontal brain regions, especially when trying to focus amidst distractions.
  • The study found that higher self-reported media multitasking (MMT) correlates with poorer task performance and more brain activity in areas responsible for attention and control during attention-demanding tasks.
  • Daily media multitasking does not improve multitasking ability in lab settings and may instead lead to difficulty maintaining attention and greater reliance on brain regions involved in inhibitory control.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Roskajuoksijan päiväkirja
@kaisupaulanto · X

@RTSaloX Mona Moisalan väitöskirjassa havaittiin, että paljon multitaskaavat teinit ovat multitaskaustehtävässä huonompia kuin vähän multitaskaavat. Ks Moisala ym ”Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults”.

Nov 3, 2024 · 1 like · 6,204 followers View post →
Gabriel Belmar
@elareadebroca.bsky.social · Bluesky

Moisala M, Salmela V, Hietajärvi L, et al. Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults. NeuroImage. 2016;134:113-121.

Jul 26, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Timeular
@timeular · X

4️⃣ Multitaskers are more distractible and may have trouble focusing. (Moisala M, Salmela V, Hietajärvi L, et al. Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults.)

Jan 27, 2023 · 2,418 followers View post →
John Kriger
@Katalyst4change · X

If you think, multitasking is not negatively, impacting our children, think again! . #nasn #apha #nays #nasw https://t.co/oTdMcDgxbC

Oct 3, 2022 · 486 followers View post →

All mentions

Gabriel Belmar
@elareadebroca.bsky.social · Bluesky

Moisala M, Salmela V, Hietajärvi L, et al. Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults. NeuroImage. 2016;134:113-121.

Jul 26, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Roskajuoksijan päiväkirja
@kaisupaulanto · X

@RTSaloX Mona Moisalan väitöskirjassa havaittiin, että paljon multitaskaavat teinit ovat multitaskaustehtävässä huonompia kuin vähän multitaskaavat. Ks Moisala ym ”Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults”.

Nov 3, 2024 · 1 like · 6,204 followers View post →
Timeular
@timeular · X

4️⃣ Multitaskers are more distractible and may have trouble focusing. (Moisala M, Salmela V, Hietajärvi L, et al. Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults.)

Jan 27, 2023 · 2,418 followers View post →
John Kriger
@Katalyst4change · X

If you think, multitasking is not negatively, impacting our children, think again! . #nasn #apha #nays #nasw https://t.co/oTdMcDgxbC

Oct 3, 2022 · 486 followers View post →