Differences in attention networks between problematic and non-problematic smartphone users: evidence from event-related potentials (ERPs)

Jiamin Ge, I-Jun Chen, Wenjing Cao, Tengyou Shu, Dan Peng and Anbang Zhang

Behaviour and Information Technology, 2026, vol. 45, issue 2, 280-298

Abstract: Previous research indicates that specific sub-networks within the attentional networks show abnormalities in individuals with problematic smartphone use. However, there has been insufficient exploration of the cognitive neurobiological mechanisms that underpin this phenomenon. We combined behavioural assessments with electrophysiological measures to address behavioural data limitations. Twenty-two individuals with problematic smartphone usage and twenty-two non-problematic smartphone users completed the behavioural data recording, while twenty-one individuals from each group completed the ERP data recording during the Attention Network Test (ANT). Behaviorally, the results indicated no difference in the three attention networks between the two groups. Electrophysiological data reveal that components associated with alerting and orienting (cue-N1) are similar between both groups, while differences are observed in components related to executive control (target-N2). These results suggest that individuals with problematic smartphone use may need to engage additional compensatory cognitive resources to achieve equivalent behavioural performance in executive control tasks compared to controls.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2025.2517209

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