Shrinking Brain Tissue A Social Network Result
July 14th, 2011 | by Jen |A new research finding which underlines the need for more investigation into internet-driven ”mind change”, says neurologist Susan Greenfield.
Baroness Greenfield, the high-profile British brain expert, says teenagers may be chatting with friends more than ever on Facebook but the loss of eye contact and physical closeness is unleashing changes equivalent in impact on humanity to that of climate change.
”Mind change” is the term she has coined for the changes internet and social media are exerting on brains and society.
The Oxford University scientist says Chinese research findings published internationally last month state that adolescents with long-term ”internet addiction” were likely to suffer ”brain structural alterations” which probably contributed to chronic dysfunction.
She says she has been wrongly accused by critics of asserting that ”computers rot the brain”.
Baroness Greenfield, who has been brought to Australia by Alzheimer’s Australia, also said dementia was like retracing the steps of childhood in reverse.