THE REWARD CIRCUIT AND DIGITAL DEPENDENCE IN ADOLESCENCE: A LITERATURE REVIEW ON CHANGES IN THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX AND BEHAVIORAL REGULATION

Abstract

The asynchronous maturation of subcortical structures and the prefrontal cortex may increase adolescents' vulnerability to problematic use of digital technologies, especially when facing platforms designed to exploit variable reward schedules. This study sought to analyze this relationship and its possible repercussions on behavioral regulation based on the scientific literature. This is a literature review with a qualitative and exploratory approach, conducted in the CAPES, SciELO, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, covering the period from 2000 to 2026. The reviewed studies suggest that the asynchrony between the early maturation of subcortical structures and the late development of the prefrontal cortex favors the pursuit of immediate gratification. This vulnerability tends to be exploited by the design of digital platforms. Nighttime exposure to blue light appears to be associated with sleep dysregulation. These factors have been related to impairments in attention, mood and school life. It is concluded that the combination of asynchronous maturation and variable reward would be associated with impaired inhibitory control in adolescents. Part of the studies, especially those associating screen time with cognitive and emotional changes, does not establish a definitive causal relationship, and there is evidence of bidirectional causality.