Psychology at digital speed: A systematic review of how rapid online interaction alters cognitive and affective processes.

Online communication has become rapid as a key feature of digital life today, creating spaces of constant connectedness, instant feedback, and increasing time pressure. While earlier studies have considered connected concepts like technostress, information overload, multitasking, and digital fatigue, little attention has been given to digital speed as a specific temporal feature of online environments. This systematic review integrates available evidence on accelerated digital interaction and its association specifically with cognitive and affective processes. Further, it proposes a framework to integrate this. A systematic search of Scopus, PsycINFO, and PubMed was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, resulting in the identification of 311 records, of which 43 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess quality. The findings suggest that as the speed of digital environments increases, so too do cognitive load, attentional fragmentation, self-regulatory depletion, emotional reactivity, technostress, and emotional exhaustion. At the same time, the data suggest that quicker engagement in the virtual surroundings causes a quicker flow of information and faster response to contexts in life-critical situations. This review sets forth the Cognitive-Affective Acceleration Framework, which is based on Cognitive Load Theory, Attentional Control Theory, and other theories. The digital speed refers to the time gained first on the psyche yield by positive connect and afferent. The analysis contributes to the digital psychology literature by clarifying the definitions of digital speed while also suggesting critical avenues for future research.