When the brain spends more time on technology-related tasks and less time exposed to other people, it drifts away from fundamental social skills like reading facial expressions during conversation, Small asserts. So brain circuits involved in face-to-face contact can become weaker, he suggests. That may lead to social awkwardness, an inability to interpret nonverbal messages, isolation and less interest in traditional classroom learning. Small says the effect is strongest in so-called digital natives -- people in their teens and 20s who have been "digitally hard-wired since toddlerhood."
So brain circuits involved in face-to-face contact can become weaker, he suggests. That may lead to social awkwardness, an inability to interpret nonverbal messages, isolation and less interest in traditional classroom learning.
Small says the effect is strongest in so-called digital natives -- people in their teens and 20s who have been "digitally hard-wired since toddlerhood."
Some research suggests the brain actually benefits from Internet use. A large study led by Mizuko Ito of the University of California, Irvine, recently concluded that by hanging out online with friends -- sending instant messages, for example -- teens learn valuable skills they'll need to use at work and socially in the digital age. That includes lessons about issues like online privacy and what's appropriate to post and communicate on the internet, Ito said.
A large study led by Mizuko Ito of the University of California, Irvine, recently concluded that by hanging out online with friends -- sending instant messages, for example -- teens learn valuable skills they'll need to use at work and socially in the digital age. That includes lessons about issues like online privacy and what's appropriate to post and communicate on the internet, Ito said.
Change is always bad. Well known fact.
