Imagine picking up your phone “just for a second” to check one notification — and suddenly an hour has vanished. Every new video, like, or comment keeps pulling you back in. Why does your brain get so hooked on digital signals? Scientists from the University of Oregon and Temple University just found the answer. In the first full meta-analysis of all brain imaging studies on habitual digital media use, they discovered something surprising.

Imagine picking up your phone “just for a second” to check one notification — and suddenly an hour has vanished. Every new video, like, or comment keeps pulling you back in. Why does your brain get so hooked on digital signals? Scientists from the University of Oregon and Temple University just found the answer. In the first full meta-analysis of all brain imaging studies on habitual digital media use, they discovered something surprising.