Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Internet Use Can Be Good For the Brain

Posted by samzenpus on from the wasting-time-not-your-brain dept.

ddelmonte writes "This Washington Post article examines a test conducted at UCLA. The test had two groups, young people who used the Internet, and older people who had never been online. Both groups were asked to do Internet searches and book reading tasks while their brain activity was monitored. 'We found that in reading the book task, the visual cortex — the part of the brain that controls reading and language — was activated,' Small said. 'In doing the Internet search task, there was much greater activity, but only in the Internet-savvy group.' He said it appears that people who are familiar with the Internet can engage in a much deeper level of brain activity. 'There is something about Internet searching where we can gauge it to a level that we find challenging,' Small said. In the aging brain, atrophy and reduced cell activity can take a toll on cognitive function. Activities that keep the brain engaged can preserve brain health and thinking ability. Small thinks learning to do Internet searches may be one of those activities."

6 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. Looking at porn is good for the brain! by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 4, Funny

    . . . when they announce that next week, we're all set!

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  2. Re:i dunno by Swizec · · Score: 4, Funny

    Same here, I used to be able to concen OH HEY LOOK LOLCAT!

  3. Re:SWEET JEEBUS! by Swizec · · Score: 3, Funny

    Steve Hawking ain't got nothing on me; I must be a genius!

    (You have to appreciate me calling myself a genius in the same sentence that has the word "ain't", and a double negative.)

    And a misspelling of "Stephen Hawking"

  4. Flash games by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does the research also mention something about playing tower defense flash games on the internet?

  5. Prooof That The Internet Makes You Stupid by giafly · · Score: 4, Funny

    What we saw was people who had Internet experience used more of their brain during the search

    I think it's because Internet users needed to use more of their brains, having less to go around. But then I use the Internet too, so what do I know?

    --
    Reduce, reuse, cycle
  6. Most likely situation by nawcom · · Score: 5, Funny
    (from the kitchen) "Honey-sweety-pumpkin, what are you doing so intently? Dinner is almost ready."

    "I'm exercising my visual cortex!" *fapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfap*