Which cognitive skill is most impacted by chronic use of attention-grabbing notifications?

Sustained attention, or the ability to focus on a single task for an extended period, is the cognitive skill most impacted by chronic use of attention-grabbing notifications. Notifications, by their nature, are designed to interrupt and divert attention away from the current task. When notifications are frequent and attention-grabbing, they constantly disrupt focus and make it difficult to maintain sustained attention. This can lead to reduced productivity, increased errors, and a diminished ability to engage in deep work. The constant switching of attention between the primary task and the notification creates cognitive overload and depletes attentional resources. Over time, chronic exposure to attention-grabbing notifications can weaken the neural pathways associated with sustained attention, making it more difficult to resist distractions and maintain focus even when notifications are not present. This can have a negative impact on various cognitive tasks, such as reading, writing, and problem-solving, which require sustained attention and concentration.