Exploring the Impact of Rapid Digital Media Consumption on Delayed Gratification and Impulsivity Among Young Adults

In the current digital period, young adults are frequently exposed to digital media activities that provide short-form, fast-paced, and algorithm-driven content across various platforms of social media, gaming, and streaming apps. This unprecedented transformation in how they engage with digital platforms has led to the development of phenomena termed Rapid Digital Media Consumption (RDMC), thereby raising psychological concerns on self-regulation, especially in areas of delayed gratification and impulsivity. Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of rapid digital media consumption on delayed gratification and impulsivity among young adults aged 18 to 25 years. A quantitative, descriptive-correlational survey design was employed among N=200 young adults online through the snowball sampling method. Three self-report scales were used: the Rapid Digital Media Consumption (RDMC) Scale, the Delayed Gratification Inventory (DGI), and the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale to collect data. The results showed a low positive correlation (r = 0.30) between RDMC and delayed gratification and a low negative correlation (r = -0.29) between RDMC and impulsivity. Hence, higher engagement in RDMC leads to difficulty in delaying gratification; however, it might not always lead to increased impulsivity among them. These findings suggest that further research is required in order to understand the effects extensively, along with the need to develop and promote self-regulation strategies and healthier digital habits among them.