Research
Focus & brain changes
Here we have a selection of facts and figures, medical publications, videos and media articles
Teens, Social Media & Technology 2022
TikTok has established itself as one of the top online platforms for U.S. teens, while the share of teens who use Facebook has fallen sharply
Examine the effect of a smartphone’s presence on learning and memory among undergraduates 2020
Phone conscious thought significantly predicted memory accuracy. We found that the presence of a smartphone and high phone conscious thought affects one’s memory learning and recall, indicating the negative effect of a smartphone proximity to our learning and memory.
Is screen time affecting your kid’s memory?
The more time spent on screens (in this study that meant over 1 hour per day), the worse the scores on working memory. This is problematic for many reasons, as a strong working memory is needed for school and life success.
Screen Usage Linked to Differences in Brain Structure in Young Children
Study of kids ages 3 to 5 suggests that digital media use (“screen time”) impacts development of brain areas responsible for visual processing, empathy, attention, complex memory and early reading skills
Research shows New Zealand children spend a third of after-school time on screens
Otago University health researcher Dr Moira Smith says that screen use harms children’s health and well-being. She says it is associated with obesity, poor mental well-being, poor sleep and mental functioning and lack of physical activity. It also affects children’s ability to concentrate and regulate their behaviour and emotions.
Pod cast - How Smartphones Are Rewiring Our Brains, Why Social Media is Eradicating Childhood & The Truth About The Mental Health Epidemic with Jonathan Haidt
In this episode, Jonathan and Dr Ran explore how the fundamental differences between online and real-world interactions are affecting young people's social, emotional and cognitive development. We discuss why girls face unique risks on social media, from damaged relationships and reputations to harassment, and how gaming and pornography are shaping boys' expectations of relationships.