Effects of Social Media Addiction on Critical Thinking: The Mediating Role of Executive Function

Recently, social media addiction (SMA) has increased globally. Like other addictions, it can have detrimental effects on individuals. Despite growing concerns, limited research has explored the relationship between SMA and critical thinking (CT) and the mechanisms underlying this connection. Therefore, this study investigated this relationship by focusing on executive function (EF) as a potential mediator. A survey using the Internet Addiction Test-Social Networking Sites (IAT–SNS) version, Critical Thinking Disposition, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Adult Version (BRIEF-A) was conducted with 307 Iranian young adults aged 18 to 40 years (M = 23.35, SD = 4.45; 72.6% female). The findings revealed a significant positive association between executive dysfunction and SMA and a significant negative association between executive dysfunction and CT. Structural equation modeling indicated no direct correlation between SMA and CT; rather, the relationship was mediated by EF, with only the indirect effects via EF being statistically significant. These results suggest that executive dysfunction acts as a risk-enhancing mediator in the relationship between SMA and CT. Further experimental studies are required to gain a more comprehensive understanding of these associations. Interventions should be developed to mitigate the negative effects of SMA on EF and CT.