The neurobiology of digital dependence: a review of the dopaminergic system, variable reward, and attentional control
The neurobiology of digital dependence: a review of the dopaminergic system, variable reward, and attentional control
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i2.2025.1736Keywords:
Digital addiction; Dopamine; Attentional controlAbstract
The use of the internet and social media has become a central part of modern life. However, when used excessively, it can develop into patterns similar to those observed in addictive disorders, including craving, tolerance, and withdrawal. This paper brings together and compares evidence from four selected studies to examine how the dopaminergic system relates to digital addiction and to identify the neurological and cognitive consequences of chronic use. The integrated analysis of these studies shows that digital platforms—particularly short-video applications—rely on unpredictable reward schedules that strongly activate the brain’s reward system. Repeated activation is associated with reduced dopamine transporters (DATs) in the striatum, indicating a potential dopaminergic dysfunction. Behaviorally, this alteration manifests as a compulsive search for rapid stimuli (“TikTok brain”) and diminished attentional control. Despite the consistency across findings, the available literature still presents methodological limitations, highlighting the need for longitudinal studies.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Pedro Staciarini Silveira Rodrigues, Giordano de Toledo Palumbo Walderrama (Autor)
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