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Social websites harm children's brains: Chilling warning to p...

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Saved by 69 people (0 private), first by anonymouse user on 2009-02-24


Public Comment

on 2009-02-24 by nogbad

And some schools are advocating using "Brain Training" on the Ninetendo DS in primary schools - http://snipr.com/ckt2m - can both be right (can both be wrong?)

on 2009-02-25 by msbehaviour

This is from the Daily Mail which is not known for high quality journalism.

on 2009-06-10 by filsalustri

The article in the Mail is full of opinion, not very well disguised as a scientific outcome. It reports Dr. Greenfield's "beliefs" and "fears" - not the facts. It may be that twitter is rotting your brain, but I just won't accept it till there's real scientific information. I also found the Mail's use of Greenfield's title (Baroness) as extremely unscientific and, probably, manipulative. Also, having read the full Mail article, I see a distinct slant being put on the matter by people like Greenfield. A slant in favour of the status quo. Just because we were raised to believe that only certain kinds of social interactions were "good" doesn't mean that other types of social interactions are bad. Heck, it may be that twitter will actually create a better society (in 50 or 100 yrs). There is no scientific consensus (yet) on this, either way. Until there is, many people - including the editor of the Mail who allowed this tripe to be printed - should shut up and bugger off.

on 2009-06-10 by nsmith24

This article is very one-sided. The title is written to scare readers, and just reading that alone would cause some people to assume the worst without even looking into the research. However, the article does not provide good research to back these claims up. What about the beneficial uses of social networking?

Public Sticky notes

Social websites harm children's brains: Chilling warning to parents from top neuroscientist

Highlighted by a_armstrong

Social networking websites are causing alarming changes in the brains of young users, an eminent scientist has warned.

Highlighted by kitpap

Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo are said to shorten attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centred.

Highlighted by fizzandcrackle

encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centred.

Highlighted by jangjaehee

Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo are said to shorten attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centred.

Highlighted by brainious

Highlighted by jjt009

The claims from neuroscientist Susan Greenfield

Highlighted by brainious

Baroness Greenfield, an Oxford University neuroscientist and director of the Royal Institution, believes repeated exposure could effectively 'rewire' the brain.

Highlighted by jhb050

Baroness Greenfield, an Oxford University neuroscientist and director of the Royal Institution, believes repeated exposure could effectively 'rewire' the brain.

Highlighted by brainious

'My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.'

Highlighted by a_armstrong

'We know how small babies need constant reassurance that they exist,' she told the Mail yesterday.

'My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.

Highlighted by steveshann

'My fear is that these technologies are infantilising the brain into the state of small children who are attracted by buzzing noises and bright lights, who have a small attention span and who live for the moment.'

Highlighted by kropotkin

'My fear is

Highlighted by sharonbetts

on 2009-02-26 by sharonbetts

Fears - but proof?

could leave a

Highlighted by sharonbetts

on 2009-02-26 by sharonbetts

Yet again - "could". I would like to read more research based facts.

'I often wonder whether real conversation in real time may eventually give way to these sanitised and easier screen dialogues, in much the same way as killing, skinning and butchering an animal to eat has been replaced by the convenience of packages of meat on the supermarket shelf,' she said.

Highlighted by milobo

'I often wonder whether real conversation in real time may eventually give way to these sanitised and easier screen dialogues

Highlighted by lblanken

on 2009-02-24 by lblanken

I don't think screen conversations are sanitised or easier.

on 2009-02-24 by jaronflick

The issues are that screen conversations lack body language and they tend to be anonymous. Now, those who are shy can benefit from an anonymous presence, but the irresponsible can too.

poor attention spans.

Highlighted by dallasm12

on 2009-09-26 by dallasm12

Maybe attention spans are not becoming poor, just concentrated. Maybe the future doesn't require long attention spans. Maybe we are learning to be more concise, precise, succinct. ??

in much the same way as killing, skinning and butchering an animal to eat has been replaced by the convenience of packages of meat on the supermarket shelf,' she said.

Highlighted by beca1116

Highlighted by sueblimely

on 2009-02-25 by sueblimely

Imagining babies using Twitter, Facebook and playing computer games!

in much the same way as killing, skinning and butchering an animal to eat has been replaced by the convenience of packages of meat on the supermarket shelf,' she said.

Highlighted by camilepalfreyman

'It is hard to see how living this way on a daily basis will not result in brains, or rather minds, different from those of previous generations,' she said.

Highlighted by willrich

on 2009-02-24 by willrich

Different as in worse, or maybe better? Not saying that we can't assess new technologies through old lenses, but I just wonder why different is always taken as worse.

on 2009-02-24 by lblanken

I was wondering the same thing as will--didn't we have to rewire throughout our evolution.

on 2009-06-07 by davidjordanjr47

Thus far the evolution, or change, in humans mind has proven to be fruitful for society. Of course, regretful outcomes occassionally occur, but humans are naturally reflective, and the history supports the notion that things are corrected and improved upon.

She pointed out that autistic people, who usually find it hard to communicate, were particularly comfortable using computers.

'Of course, we do not know whether the current increase in autism is due more to increased awareness and diagnosis of autism, or whether it can - if there is a true increase - be in any way linked to an increased prevalence among people of spending time in screen relationships. Surely it is a point worth considering,' she added.

Highlighted by budtheteacher

on 2009-02-24 by budtheteacher

Having a little trouble with the cause/effect here.

on 2009-02-25 by sueblimely

Ever heard of a baby who has developed autism after spending too much time socializing online!!

'It is hard to see how living this way on a daily basis will not result in brains, or rather minds, different from those of previous generations,' she said.

Highlighted by camilepalfreyman

She pointed out that autistic people, who usually find it hard to communicate, were particularly comfortable using computers.

Highlighted by brainious

Surely it is a point worth considering,

Highlighted by sarahhanawald

Psychologists have also argued that digital technology is changing the way we think. They point out that students no longer need to plan essays before starting to write - thanks to word processors they can edit as they go along.

Highlighted by budtheteacher

on 2009-02-24 by budtheteacher

What a stupid thing to say. Because we *can* write without planning, doesn't mean that we always *should*.

Psychologists have also argued that digital technology is changing the way we think. They point out that students no longer need to plan essays before starting to write - thanks to word processors they can edit as they go along. Satellite navigation systems have negated the need to decipher maps

Highlighted by brainious

'I'm not against technology and computers. But before they start social networking, they need to learn to make real relationships with people.'

Highlighted by a_armstrong

A study by the Broadcaster Audience Research Board found teenagers now spend seven-and-a-half hours a day in front of a screen.

Highlighted by vanmetea

on 2009-02-24 by vanmetea

This may be what drives me nuts about these blanket statements. What on earth are any parents/teachers thinking when they allow kids to stay still in front of a screen for this long?? Moderation in all things!

on 2009-02-24 by jaronflick

It adds up so quickly. An hour each way on the bus playing a handheld device. Two hours at school (at least) in labs or on laptops. Two hours of research and homework. An hour of television. (Actually, my son gave up the TV to chat online for that last hour.) That adds up to about 7 hours depending on the bus ride.

Educational psychologist Jane Healy believes children should be kept away from computer games until they are seven. Most games only trigger the 'flight or fight' region of the brain, rather than the vital areas responsible for reasoning.

Highlighted by brainious

'I'm not against technology and computers. But before they start social networking, they need to learn to make real relationships with people.'

Highlighted by rudygodoy

'I'm not against technology and computers. But before they start social networking, they need to learn to make real relationships with people.'

Highlighted by calmansi

on 2009-02-26 by calmansi

Considering that you have to be 13 to participate in most social networking sites, it should be hoped indeed that children do have a chance to engage in real life socializing before that

on 2009-09-26 by dallasm12

Do sports bars count as real life socializing? The barriers between virtual and so-called "real" are being blurred.

'I'm not against technology and computers. But before they start social networking, they need to learn to make real relationships with people.'

Highlighted by camilepalfreyman

Computer games train children to practice violence through a scientifically proven process called systematic desensitization, used to in video games to train soldiers to kill.

Highlighted by jarens