Cited by 39Personal Information Management and User BehaviorImpact of Technology on AdolescentsCognitive Abilities and Testing

Effects of WhatsApp 's Use on Working Memory Performance Among Youth

Aharony, Noa, Zion, Avi·2019·Journal of Educational Computing Research

Abstract

The current study seeks to shed light on the usage habits of the WhatsApp application among teenagers, exploring the effect of mobile instant messaging distractions on pupils' working memory performance. Research was conducted in Israel during 2016 school year. The study sample was divided into two groups randomly—a control group and an experimental group. Researchers used six questionnaires to gather personal details, execution assessment questionnaire, and Working Memory Index from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV. The main findings show that WhatsApp's distractions, transmitted via smartphones, decrease pupils' performance of working memory. In addition, students are aware of the difficulty WhatsApp causes while performing a learning task and of the decrease in learning effectiveness. The present study displays a unique experiment that explored the direct effect of the distractions stemming from a new technological platform— WhatsApp—on young pupils' working memory. Further, it suggests that instructors and teachers should be aware of the potential damage of multitasking caused by smartphone use during learning tasks.

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Crossref · 10.1177/0735633117749431

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54 of 54 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Aharony, N., & Zion, A.
Affiliations
Bar-Ilan University (IL)
Corresponding author
Aharony, Noa
Venue
Journal of Educational Computing Research
Published
2018-01-23
Volume
57
Issue
1
Pages
226-245
ISSN
  • 0735-6331 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-4140
OpenAlex
W2793435808
Cited by
39
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1
FWCI
3.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Educational Computing Research (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Personal Information Management and User Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Keywords
WhatsApp, working memory, mobile instant messaging, smartphone distraction, adolescents, multitasking, learning performance, technology use in schools

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