Front Psychol April 2017 PMID 28487665

Smartphones and Cognition: A Review of Research Exploring the Links between Mobile Technology Habits and Cognitive Functioning.

Henry H Wilmer, Lauren E Sherman, Jason M Chein

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Mentions

108
Peak: 10 in Jun 2023
across 6 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

351,827
potential audience

Total likes

3,226

Video views

71,468

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several posts exemplify nuanced debates about the article, with commenters mentioning the balanced nature of the review, referencing specific studies like Wilmer et al., and discussing how digital distractions influence concentration without necessarily diminishing cognitive capacity. The tone varies from cautious curiosity to analytical, reflecting appreciation for the research's complexity in shaping views on smartphone use and mental functioning.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts acknowledge the complexity and mixed evidence regarding smartphones' impact on cognition, reflecting cautious support for the review’s balanced findings.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions demonstrate high curiosity, with multiple mentions of scientific studies and references to different viewpoints, indicating active engagement with the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts compare research results, cite specific studies, and analyze implications, showing a moderate depth of engagement rather than dismissive attitudes.

ImpactModerate impact

Discussions suggest that the article influences understanding and perceptions about digital habits and cognition, but there’s limited indication of it motivating immediate changes or actions.

Abstract in brief

  • The review examines how smartphone use might both boost and harm cognitive functions like memory, attention, and emotional regulation, highlighting that while they can be helpful, habitual use may also have negative effects.
  • It focuses on three main areas: attention, memory, and delay of gratification, summarizing existing evidence of how smartphone habits impact these cognitive domains, but notes that the research is still developing and not all conclusions are definitive.
  • The authors discuss current limitations in research methods and suggest ways to improve future studies, aiming to better understand how smartphones influence everyday thinking and brain function.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

@nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas: https://t.co/j9n9BEzql9

Jun 27, 2023 · 39 likes · 10 shares · 56,907 followers View post →
Robert Young Pelton
@RYP__ · X

There is enough science on smart phones, social media, mass news penetration and global effect of instant, persistence communications to understand negative factors. Negative influences that are sensed but aren't being communicated clearly to users. https://t.co/HS78x82xrc

Jan 17, 2020 · 7 likes · 1 share · 43,007 followers View post →
Alon Zivony
@AlonZivony · X

Found this review (from 7 years ago now) to be very balanced and helpful: https://t.co/va8gsjeVB8

Apr 20, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,584 followers View post →
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

@Montparnase19 @MargalidaLlomp1 Això no és cert. La tecnologia digital (sobretot els mòbils) dificulta concentrar-se però no fa minvar la capacitat de fer-ho. És a dir, ens genera distraccions, però no canvia la capacitat de parar atenció. Aquí deixo un revisió de la recerca al respecte. https://t.co/j9n9BEzql9

Apr 21, 2023 · 1 like · 56,907 followers View post →
Raghav Tripathi
@raghavtripped · X

@rakwtf that all caps and full stop are very passive-aggressive, also would urge you to checkout this highly cited paper https://t.co/URz5f8kUmZ

Sep 7, 2023 · 1 like · 310 followers View post →
Loof
@Jyhmmmm · X

https://t.co/EFms6Bh59u

Feb 17, 2024 · 1 like · 251 followers View post →

All mentions

Yop
@Yop77Yop · X

@thefurlinator @AbbyMachines the short form content may have more merit, but we are not talking youtube shorts or a movie kind of lenght, but about with content for at least 16 hours https://t.co/RVnZgrvh5J And it pretty much only happens when you don't engage with long form content https://t.co/WRs50hI47l

Aug 21, 2025 · 3 followers View post →
Eve Cordero Roldán
@evelyn_cordero · X

https://t.co/AiqeOSJzTf

Jan 9, 2025 · 3,520 followers View post →
Alon Zivony
@AlonZivony · X

Found this review (from 7 years ago now) to be very balanced and helpful: https://t.co/va8gsjeVB8

Apr 20, 2024 · 4 likes · 1,584 followers View post →
Loof
@Jyhmmmm · X

https://t.co/EFms6Bh59u

Feb 17, 2024 · 1 like · 251 followers View post →
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

@OldThunder41 @JCesarPL ...los presuentos efectos de los móviles en la cognición (atención, memoria...): https://t.co/j9n9BEzYaH

Nov 20, 2023 · 56,907 followers View post →
Raghav Tripathi
@raghavtripped · X

@rakwtf that all caps and full stop are very passive-aggressive, also would urge you to checkout this highly cited paper https://t.co/URz5f8kUmZ

Sep 7, 2023 · 1 like · 310 followers View post →
The KPU Lifespan Cognition Lab
@Lifespancog_lab · X

FUN FACT FRIDAY! It's unclear how smartphones affect cognition overall. Some research suggests we might benefit cognitively, depending on how they're used. See the article by Wilmer et al. (2017)! https://t.co/cuEwUFnwum #kpupsych #funfact #psychology #technology #smartphones https://t.co/0VcXoAnxL2

Jul 21, 2023 · 80 followers View post →
Alfespro✨
@AlfonsoEscrig · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 28, 2023 · 10 shares · 1,103 followers View post →
Imma
@Imma74503278 · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 79 followers View post →
Angelical Cuevas
@CuevasAngelical · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 74 followers View post →
José Cariñena
@chefocb · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 447 followers View post →
Roser
@inici_de_cantic · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 1,081 followers View post →
Faumeliza Herrera B
@Faumeliza · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 79 followers View post →
Miguel Plaza Muñoz
@profmiguelplaza · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 1,331 followers View post →
Jordi Adell
@jordi_a · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 41,998 followers View post →
Manuel Fernández Navas
@nolo14 · X

RT @hruizmartin: @nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas…

Jun 27, 2023 · 10 shares · 9,598 followers View post →
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

@nolo14 @jordi_a Te lo complemento con este sobre los supuestos efectos del uso de los móviles en las funciones cognitivas: https://t.co/j9n9BEzql9

Jun 27, 2023 · 39 likes · 10 shares · 56,907 followers View post →
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

@Montparnase19 @MargalidaLlomp1 Això no és cert. La tecnologia digital (sobretot els mòbils) dificulta concentrar-se però no fa minvar la capacitat de fer-ho. És a dir, ens genera distraccions, però no canvia la capacitat de parar atenció. Aquí deixo un revisió de la recerca al respecte. https://t.co/j9n9BEzql9

Apr 21, 2023 · 1 like · 56,907 followers View post →
Lu
@lilminxofspades · X

@Ya_Ali03 @egm0nt @amphetamemeee @tyler02020202 This covers the data up until it’s publication, when it comes attention it has shown short term negative correlations. Long term it’s been mixed when not using self-reporting methods (which are unreliable). So, no causal relationship has been found https://t.co/e4nkgeILzQ https://t.co/aiEenRyVvb

Sep 26, 2022 · 304 followers View post →
Jack Simpson
@JackLSimpson · X

@DrMatthewSweet @theleedslibrary Fair! So more methodology than the argument. Though perhaps argument too. Anyway, it’s Friday night, and I have no major horse in this race. This was interesting - highlights a few disagreements / junctures. https://t.co/t3rcjtwr6d Look forward to your article.

Mar 4, 2022 · 2,333 followers View post →
Ángel L.F. Xogo
@ALFXogo · X

@legendofcelia_ Totalmente. Estaba buscando estudios científicos sobre el tema (hay mucha afirmación en internet sacada de la manga) y encontré esta revisión de la relación entre uso de smartphones y procesos cognitivos. Nombra muchas causas posibles: https://t.co/5msYl20LRt

Aug 11, 2020 · 389 followers View post →
Linda Brown
@LindaBr67589020 · X

RT @RYP__: There is enough science on smart phones, social media, mass news penetration and global effect of instant, persistence communica…

Jan 17, 2020 · 1 share · 916 followers View post →
Robert Young Pelton
@RYP__ · X

There is enough science on smart phones, social media, mass news penetration and global effect of instant, persistence communications to understand negative factors. Negative influences that are sensed but aren't being communicated clearly to users. https://t.co/HS78x82xrc

Jan 17, 2020 · 7 likes · 1 share · 43,007 followers View post →
CHSUSGovernment
@CHSUSGovernment · X

RT @Ms410berry: Smartphones and Cognition: A Review of Research Exploring the Links between Mobile Technology Habits and Cognitive Function…

Aug 23, 2019 · 1 share · 281 followers View post →
Karee Jones, PMP ®
@KareeJones_ · X

Mobile technology habits and cognitive functioning—are there links? Mama always said too much of one thing could be bad... In the middle of reading this article. https://t.co/3mASki11c9 #media #cognition #smartphones

May 19, 2019 · 52 followers View post →
Donna Grant
@3338grantlks · X

Smartphones and Cognition: A Review of Research Exploring the Links between Mobile Technology Habits and Cognitive Functioning Henry H. Wilmer, Lauren E. Sherman, and Jason M. Chein While smartphones and related mobile technologies are recognized as flex https://t.co/iXbVfW9USR

May 6, 2019 · 617 followers View post →