The Effects of Facebook Gaming on User Engagement, Attention, and Digital Communication Behaviour

Abstract

This study examined the effects of Facebook Gaming on user engagement, attention, and digital communication behaviour. A quantitative design was adopted, and data were collected from 300 active Facebook Gaming users using a structured questionnaire. Analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression (controlling for age and gender), and Sobel mediation analysis.

Facebook Gaming significantly increased user engagement (M = 3.95, t(299) = 22.87, p < 0.001), with usage time as the strongest predictor (β = 0.52, p < 0.001, Adjusted R² = 0.41). The platform negatively affected attention (M = 3.10, β = -0.39, p < 0.001), with younger users (18–25 years) reporting lower attention spans than older users (46+ years), F(3, 296) = 4.92, p = 0.002. Digital communication behaviour was positively influenced (M = 3.85, β = 0.44, p < 0.001), indicating a shift toward rapid, informal communication, particularly among younger users, F(3, 296) = 5.34, p = 0.001.

Correlation analysis revealed that user engagement was positively associated with digital communication behaviour (r = 0.578, p < 0.01) and negatively associated with attention (r = -0.422, p < 0.01). Daily usage time was positively correlated with engagement (r = 0.512, p < 0.01) and communication (r = 0.443, p < 0.01) but negatively correlated with attention (r = -0.389, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis indicated that attention partially mediated the relationship between engagement and communication behaviour (indirect effect = 0.152, z = 4.90, p < 0.001), accounting for 25.5% of the total effect.

The results highlight that while Facebook Gaming enhances interaction and social connectivity, it also reduces attention span and alters communication practices, with younger users being more susceptible. The study provides implications for platform developers, content creators, and researchers to optimize user experience while addressing cognitive and behavioural challenges.

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