Cognitive Performance in the Digital Era: Generational Differences, Stress, and Distraction’s Impact on Cognitive Performance

Generational categories classify individuals born in specific time frames, known for unique traits and tech adaptability. Some research indicates that the digital-native generation is more prone to distractions than other groups. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear and influenced by many factors, such as stress. In the current study (n=299), the authors leveraged the mobile monitoring of cognitive change (M2C2) symbol search task to measure processing speed. This study examines the relationships between generational categories (Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z), perceived stress, subjective age (considered to predict important aspects of well-being beyond chronological age), and distraction cost. These results emphasize the significant influence of age-related variables and stress in shaping susceptibility to distractions. Future research can expand participant numbers, conduct longitudinal studies to track cognitive changes in digital-era generational cohorts, and explore neurocognitive mechanisms and technological fluency’s role in distraction susceptibility.