UCLA neuroscientist Gary Small says heavy internet and text messaging use can actually alter the brain:
He said a study of 24 adults as they used the Web found that experienced Internet users showed double the activity in areas of the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning as Internet beginners.
For better or for worse, Small elaborates on what this might mean for those of us spending a lot of time online:
- “has made brains more adept at filtering information and making snap decisions”
- “can accelerate learning and boost creativity”
- “can create Internet addicts whose only friends are virtual”
- “has sparked a dramatic rise in Attention Deficit Disorder diagnoses”
Small’s advice on how to save yourself from becoming an ADD-suffering brainiac:
It means taking time to cut back on technology, like having a family dinner, to find a balance. It is important to understand how technology is affecting our lives and our brains and take control of it.
