Surfing the Internet Weakens Our Mental Capabilities

Surfing the Internet is changing the way our brains work, reducing our ability to think and concentrate, a leading psychologist in the UK has warned. Sheila Keegan says that its long-term use could even cause brain dysfunction.

"We spend huge and a growing number of hours on the Internet and, as a result, our brains are returning to shallow thinking," the Herald Sun quoted her as saying.

"We are being more easily distracted, and our thinking has developed a staccato quality that lacks concentration.

"The problem is so widespread that studies have also concluded that long-term Internet addiction would result in chronic dysfunction of our brains, which is a pretty scary thought!" she added.

Dr Keegan said US research had revealed some children as young as five spent up to six hours a day in front of a screen.

Lengthy periods spent alone in front of the TV or on the computer meant many young children were not developing the social skills they needed for later life.

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"Kids need to have a good balance. They can learn a lot from the internet," she said.

The study was presented at the Australian Marketing and Social Research conference in Sydney.

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Source-ANI