Does Web Surfing Alter the Brain?

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.