The Disembodied Disconnect Hypothesis: How Online Interactions Undermine Neurobiological Foundations of Social Cohesion

Many researchers argue that the evidence linking digital technologies to widespread mental health issues is just not conclusive, and numerous studies have produced only correlational data. For example, a 2023 study found no significant link between screen media engagement and maladaptive neurodevelopment. Similarly, research published in 2024 highlighted that the relationship between social media use and mental health is complex, with only small or inconsistent causal effects when present. Furthermore, technology can have beneficial effects as well, like providing essential social support and connectivity, boosting mental health, especially during times of physical isolation, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.11 While the debate on the neurodevelopmental impact of digital technologies continues, in this perspective we introduce the “Disembodied Disconnect Hypothesis.” This hypothesis suggests that rather than fundamentally altering cognitive structures, digital platforms are reshaping the landscape of human sociality in ways that can have profound psychological and social consequences.