Neuroimaging the Effects of Smartphone Use and Overuse

Associations between smartphones and brain structure and function are emerging.

Posted March 11, 2026 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

Smartphones have transformed nearly every aspect of daily life, from how we communicate and work to how we learn and entertain ourselves. In fact, they are widely used by collectors to access auction catalogs and bid online.

This ubiquitous habit has sparked intense scientific and public debate over the potential negative effects of excessive smartphone use, particularly on the brain, cognition , and mental health (C. Montag et.at., 2023; this is referred to as the review.)

Why this topic matters

While smartphones are useful tools, concerns have grown that overuse could impact cognitive and emotional processes from attention and learning to mood and self-regulation . Some researchers even debate whether excessive smartphone use should be considered a form of behavioral addiction , similar to gaming disorder . However, establishing this is complicated because:

Conceptual debates: addiction vs. behavior

A major theme in the review is the debate around how to conceptualize smartphone use. Is it?

This debate matters because how researchers define behavior influences how studies are designed and interpreted.

An overview of MRI evidence

The review organizes existing MRI research into two main categories: structural brain changes and functional brain changes.

1. Structural brain differences

Structural MRI studies look at differences in gray matter volume and the organization of white matter tracts between people with higher vs. lower levels of problematic smartphone use (or SmUD tendencies).

Some consistent patterns include:

These structural differences are broadly consistent with other behavioral addictions, but the field is still too new to draw firm conclusions.

2. Functional brain differences

Functional MRI (fMRI) research examines how brain networks function at rest (resting-state fMRI) and during tasks involving attention, emotion processing, or cognitive control.

Key findings include:

Overall, these functional changes align with the idea that problematic use might relate to altered reward sensitivity and executive control, again, patterns seen in other behavioral addictions. But the picture isn’t entirely clear yet.

Limitations of the current research

The authors are careful to note that most studies to date are correlational. That means:

Because of these limitations, we can’t yet say that smartphone (over-)use causes specific brain changes. There’s a risk of overinterpretation unless future research systematically addresses these issues.

Where research needs to go next

The review lays out a helpful roadmap for advancing the field:

1. Clearer definitions

Researchers need to agree on how they define problematic use, whether as an addiction, disorder, or high engagement, and to distinguish the medium (the phone) from the content (apps, social media, games) .

2. Longitudinal studies

We need studies that follow people over time to see whether smartphone use predicts changes in the brain or if pre-existing brain differences predict later patterns of use.

3. Larger, diverse samples

Most studies so far involve small, homogenous groups (e.g., college students). Bigger, more diverse samples would improve reliability and generalizability.

4. Standardized measurement tools

Using consistent neuroimaging and behavioral measures across studies would improve the ability to compare results.

5. Mechanistic and intervention studies

We need work that not only documents associations but probes why they arise, for example, how specific patterns of brain activity relate to smartphone use behaviors, and whether interventions (like digital detox programs) can shift both behavior and neural patterns.

Big picture takeaways

To sum up, the review in a few key points:

Montag C, Becker B. Neuroimaging the effects of smartphone (over-)use on brain function and structure-a review on the current state of MRI-based findings and a roadmap for future research. Psychoradiology. 2023 Feb 1;3:kkad001. doi: 10.1093/psyrad/kkad001. PMID: 38666109; PMCID: PMC10917376.

Mueller, S. M. (2026, February 24). Rewired: How the digital world reshapes the human brain . The Mind of a Collector . Psychology Today .

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Shirley M. Mueller, M.D., is a neuroscientist board certified in neurology and psychiatry. She is also an avid collector. Combining these two disciplines, she wrote Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play.

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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.