Technologically-Assisted Communication Attenuates Inter-Brain Synchrony

Abstract

The transition to technologically-assisted communication has permeated all facets of human social life; yet, its impact on the social brain is still unknown and the effects may be most notable during key developmental transitions. Applying a two-brain perspective, the current pre-registered study measured mother-child brain-to-brain synchrony using hyperscanning EEG at the transition to adolescence during live face-to-face interaction versus technologically-assisted remote communication. The live interaction elicited 9 significant cross-brain links between densely inter-connected frontal and temporal areas in the beta range [14-30 Hz]. Mother's right frontal region connected with child's right and left frontal, temporal, and central regions, suggesting its regulatory role in organizing the two-brain dynamics. In contrast, the remote interaction elicited only 1 significant cross-brain-cross-hemisphere link, attenuating the robust right-to-right-brain connectivity during live social moments that communicates socio-affective signals. Furthermore, while the level of social behavior was comparable between the two interactions, brain-behavior links emerged only during the live exchange, suggesting that remote interactions yield a somewhat thinner biobehavioral experience. Mother-child right temporal-temporal synchrony linked with moments of shared gaze and the degree of child engagement and empathic behavior was associated with right frontal-frontal synchrony. Our findings indicate that human co-presence is underpinned by specific neurobiological processes, suggest potential reasons for "zoom fatigue", and open a much-needed discussion on the cost of social technology for brain maturation, particularly among youth.