The Power of technology – Social networking sites

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1153583/Social-websites-harm-childrens-brains-Chilling-warning-parents-neuroscientist.html

Summary

This article is written by David Derbyshire, in the daily mail, 24^th of February 2009. This article is concerned with the impact social networking sites is having on the brains of today’s young people. It argues that social networking sites like Titter, Facebook, bebo and other such websites are negatively changing the brains of young people. They are said to shorten “attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centered” according to this article. The article debates whether Facebook is having an impact on our relationships with other people. It mentions the reasons why people use Facebook, keeping in contact with people and viewing photos etc. Face book is shown to be in leadership with 150 million members while Twitter only has 6 million. It also states interestingly that teenagers spend in total seven hours per day on a computer.

The article highlights the concerns of Neuropsychologists and psychologists have about social networking sites doing more damage than having positive impacts. The article mentions a neuropsychologist from Oxford University, who said that constant exposure might have the power to “rewire the brain”. This appears to stem from the fact TV shows and computer games are at such speeds that it impacts the brain, in ways we don’t necessarily realise. They believe that children will need constant reassurance of their existence and that technology will mean that people’s brains will be similar to small children’s state of mind, as they are captivated by loud noises and action. Another concept is the idea that children/ young adults will live in the moment. The article also mentions a Professor who is concerned with young peoples exposure to technology, resulting in low attention levels amongst young children. The professor questions whether or not instant messaging etc. will overcome face-to-face communication.

The article goes on to discuss the increase in autism. They are not positive whether or not this current issue is due to increase in awareness and the increase in diagnosis, or whether or not it is due to the amount of time people spend in “screen relationships”. The Psychologists argue that we are changing the way we think because of modern technology. An educational psychologist claims children shouldn’t be allowed use computers until they are seven years of age. They also mention the “fight or flight” psychological concept, as she reckons that it triggers this in our brains rather than developing our own reasoning. The author of Toxic Childhood, Sue Palmer, mentions that before they start engaging in social networking, they should learn to make and engage in real relationships with people.

Opinion

In my opinion Facebook is a fantastic and cost efficient way to communicate with people who may be living far away from you, I use Facebook to keep in contact with all my school friends. Personally I don’t see a major problem with living in the moment as I think it might be no harm, as we will learn to enjoy that moment instead of missing the moment because we are living in the future. I t might also mean that we wouldn’t stress as much if we weren’t consumed with the future. However I do feel it’s important to plan in order to use our time constructively. I think concept that fast TV shows and computer games have the ability to rewire our brains and result in poor attention spans makes allot of sense. However I think that face-to-face communication will always win as most people love the physical interaction and find it more intimate. I do agree with Sue Palmer who believes that we shouldn’t join social networking sites until we have learnt to make and engage in real relationships, I didn’t Facebook until this year and it has been no loss in my life not to have it until now.