A preliminary investigation of proximal effects of media multitasking on executive functioning

It has been suggested that media-multitasking may be cumulatively harmful to executive functions, but evidence mainly comes from cross-sectional investigations. If media-multitasking does cause harm, we might expect to observe a decline in executive performance in the immediate aftermath of media-multitasking, relative to sequential media engagement. This study examined proximal effects utilising a lab-based experiment where 76 young adults were randomised into either a media-multitasking group or a sequential media engagement group (both consuming media for 20 minutes). They completed a pre and post battery of executive function tasks measuring working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. However, there were no interactions showing a greater change in performance for the multitasking group at the second time point. Mood became more negative over the study for both groups. Therefore, no evidence was found that executive functions were fatigued by media-multitasking, and the search for mechanisms of harm must continue.