There seems to be concern that social media is the “new” downfall of the brain. The primary argument is that social media is reducing attention span along with related problems of multitasking, quality of social interactions and the ability to focus. (see infographicsee below).
The brain itself is a rather flexible system. It has a unique feature of “neuroplasticity” – meaning the ability to continue to form new neural networks despite advancing age as one continues to actively participate and learn new things.
Yes, it’s true that life and life experiences have speeded up as technology has been evolving at a dizzying pace. The population as a whole, however, appears to be adjusting to the changes as even Grandma and Grandpa are using their electronic readers and actively engaging in other aspects of social media.
When it comes to attention span, social media keeps it short. Communication is now conveyed in precise messages and visuals. After all, brains have already been primed by television commercials that went from 60 seconds to 30 seconds to 10 seconds along with quick, visual editing.
Multitasking is not a new phenomenon. Think of mothers who have been refining the art over the centuries. Even early assembly lines had multitasking features to reduce boredom. There are those who appear to quickly master the skill, and others are still fumbling. There is concern that the quality of attention is compromised, but this will depend on circumstances. However, texting and walking can be a problem. But, once you’ve collided with something while using social media, lesson learned.
As for quality of social interaction, the network of people to communicate with has expanded exponentially. Unfortunately, some haven’t gotten the hang of discretion and thinking twice before hitting the send button.
Social media is still about the old social lessons that parents try to get their kids to understand.
- Don’t say anything about someone else that you wouldn’t feel comfortable be said about you.
- Be careful what you say as it may come back to bite you.
- Be nice to those on the way up because you don’t know you will need on the way down.
They still apply, and some people learn that lesson the hard way.
Problems with the ability to focus long predated social media. There has and will always be problems with distractions and interruptions. At the same time, we do have access to more information coming from a variety of sources. Scanning has become a way of shifting through. Those things that interest us are the things where we will stop and pay the most attention to.
This is not to say that social media doesn’t contribute to making these problems worst for some people, but it’s not ruining your brain.
There have always been things that have been perceived threats to the brain: comics and comic books, radio, television, vinyl records, 8-track, Sony Walkman (that was a biggie in its’ day), video Pong and the list goes on.
The idea that social media will ruin the brain will eventually be replaced by a new perceived threat.
Yes, technological gadgets are addictive. And, one reason is that the brain is always attracted by the new and the different. It’s curious, it likes to solve problems and it enjoys being stimulated in new and different ways.
I wouldn’t worry about the demise of your brain from social media. Your brain is able to rapidly adjust to new systems of communication. You, on the other hand, may socially take longer to get over your newest tech love affair. Eventually, you’ll phase it into your everyday social network of tools and your brain will continue to function just fine.
Infographic by Assisted Living Today – Assisted Living Facilities
Image: Pixabay 200795
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Hi Joyce,
I don’t worry about the demise of my brain from social media because I use it very little (not my brain–social media). just don’t have the time or the interest.
I am concerned about the lack of real interaction between people. I actually share all of the concerns that Marquita mentioned above.
I agree with you Rachel social media is time-consuming and I not sure it makes financial sense to devote so much time to it. But, it is free business exposure, and I think you have to allocate your time where you get the greatest business return. Agree, personal interaction is becoming more and more of a problem, as well. There will probably be a whole new career opportunity for those teaching how to have face-to-face authentic conversations. Of course taught by the pre-electronic generation. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
There’s so much info out there it can be overwhelming. What’s needed is balance. Real socialization as well as social media connections. I aim for a higher balance on the real side but some days do get sucked into SM. For me this time of year – summer – it’s easy to step away and enjoy real life. I’m a gardener and would rather spend time recharging my brain there than on SM. Love your infographic. Very clear.
Diane, having gardening as a break from social media is really a very good alternative. It gets you away from all the electronics energy and back to being grounded by the earth’s energy. I really healthy thing to do.
That’s a great infographic Joyce. I often take social media sabbaticals of a day or two if I feel the noise is starting to affect me or if there is too much information overload. I wrote a post about social media controlling our lives back in 2014 more from a time and stress management perspective and I’m not surprised about the effects that it has on our brain and hormones. For me the trigger to take time out is if I find myself thinking ‘hash awesome’ while engaging in conversation in the offline world. 🙂
This whole technological and social media revolution is enticing and yet so easy to get addicted to. It’s almost becoming an act of courage to stop for a while. I like how you have described it as taking a social media sabbatical. I know that when I have a day off or even a couple of hours off, my brain feels like it’s in a much better place when I return to the keyboard. I’m sure this will be a topic we both will continue to write about.
Hi Joyce,
Great infographic on how Social Media is messing with our brains !!! It is so easy to get overwhelmed and scattered while on social media….it is all about focusing on the right activities to be more productive 🙂 Awesome share!
Yes, aren’t graphics a great way to get the information across? Yes, social media can be distracting, but setting time aside for it makes more sense when you allocate key time to focus on the important things.
Terrific infographic. I do a lot of research on the brain, time management, emotions, etc., and I’m amazed at what I learn. One of the effects of shortened attention span is that your website now has 8 seconds to grab and keep someone’s attention. And the elevator speech? It got its name from how long an elevator traveled from top to bottom of a building, or about 3 minutes. Now the elevator speech is 18 seconds and boy, you better not go a nanosecond over or you’ve lost them!
You wonder in an elevator speech if anyone is really listening or pretending to listen. As for grabbing their attention in 8 seconds.,why don’t we just send a photo with headline text. I’d like to make one that said “The text below this image is for intelligent readers if you don’t qualify please click now” Sorry, I have no patience for people who don’t want to learn about the world they live in.
As a researcher on why people do the things they do, I’ve read a few of those studies you’re referring to Joyce and it is certainly an interesting topic. As fascinating as the infographic is, all one really needs to see this trend in action is to go out and watch people interacting with their smartphones more than with the people around them. It’s amazing really and there are so many ways this is the collective behavior of people.
I work with personal growth and a great example of where people are today with that was a reader comment I came across the other day. The frustrated gentleman was commenting on a book written by a well-known author and coach and said (I’m paraphrasing), “I don’t want to have to think, or spend hours writing my thoughts, all I want is for someone to tell me how to fix my life!” That’s not an isolated opinion either, I’ve recently seen high profile coaches such as the ever-popular and perky Marie Forleo lamenting that people want you to give them step by step instructions so they don’t have to think. That is not only sad it’s more than a little scary.
It’s very true Marquita. Just ask any therapist and they will tell you that getting them to examine their lives and take responsibility is the hardest part. Media has saturated people’s minds with the quick fix and the step-by-step instructions. It’s also a sad reflection that people are starting to let others do more and more things for them without thinking for themselves. I’m afraid it’s going to be hard life lessons for them.
Interesting topic (as always) Joyce! I have love-hate affair with social media 🙂 I love the amazing people I’ve met through it and appreciate it as a tool to establish connections and build real relationships with people around the globe… Yet I hate the time I spend in front of my laptop just to maintain these connections… I love outdoor – walking, hiking, gardening, etc. and now I have less and less time for enjoying the outdoor because I am “plugged-in” all the time. The one boundary that I’ve established for myself is “NO SM during weekends” and I stick to it! My brain feels rested and restored in a couple of days I allow it to be unplugged… I even try to read only “paper books” instead of Kindle books so my body and mind are reconnected “the old way”.
As inviting as all the social media is, Millen you’re taken the healthy approach. If you can feel that your brain is rested and restored that’s all that matters. I also agree with you about reading “paper books.” We need the textural feel of a book and being able to get lost in the reading experience. I considered an e-reader but changed my mind when I realized that I would be trading one screen for another.
While attention spans may have decreased, the amount of information we consume has increased. Not too worried about social media ruining my brain! It gives me so many opportunities to expand my knowledge!!
Lisa, you’re on the positive side of the argument. For those knowledge seekers, it’s a gold mine.
I was at an interesting lecture last night, Joyce, and the brain was discussed many times. Several books were referenced including, “The Spiritual Brain” by Mario Beauregard and “The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge. Yes, neuroplasticity is offering new and hopeful information about the brain’s ability to regenerate and form new pathways, things that were not considered possible in the past.
Personally, I do see social media as a big threat to our ability to actually “be social” person-to-person and face-to-face. The fact that our attention span is shortening, is also cause for concern for me. I’ve read research about EMF’s and how they are changing the brain as well. You are probably right that we will adjust to the new threat called social media, although as an old-school type of person, I prefer to stimulate my senses in person and in the world. To read real books and be off technology as often and as much as possible. Thanks for your thoughtful post and for the wonderful infographic too!
It would be interesting to see how this correlates to the rise of the “me” generation and the rise of more addictive social and medical drugs. One thing the brain does like is a “high.” It was never intended to be on-going, but it is adaptable once pleasurable stimulation is readily available. Self-discipline is not a virtue that is valued much anymore, sad to say. Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts.
Joyce – My learning curve for social media is still a vertical line. I get easily frustrated when I can’t get the results I want, so in addition to teaching me to communicate in the 2000’s, I’m learning patience as well. Fortunately, I have hired a young woman who is very savvy and is helping me enormously. Sometimes I feel that my ignorance is what it must be like for illiterate people to try to function in our literate world. The good news: as we age and acquire technical prowess in our digital world, we will be able to access info, help, companionship, etc. like never before. Thanks to social media, I feel that there has never been a better time to cruise into retirement!
You’ve taken the smart way out Joan by getting someone younger to bring you up to speed. I’m sure you will be helping her with your wisdom as well. I bet that soon we will be contacting you asking how to do this or that.
Technology has been moving faster and faster. I know that some people go so far and then just stop. It’s just too much for them. You’ve taken the smart road by getting someone younger to bring you up to speed. I think that shortly, we will be contacting you about how to do this or that. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad to hear that you found Sandberg’s address so inspirational, Roz. There are two things to remember from our wise elders. Youth is wasted on the young and you’re never too old to learn. Always happy to contribute to your brain’s well-being.
My goodness, so much information included in this post to digest and contemplate. I do feel bits and pieces of the highs and lows of social media. Sometimes the stress and sometimes the oxytocin. I do believe we need to pay attention to how we feel and if not good then to take our own inner message and act accordingly. So very interesting, isn’t it? Thanks for educating me on what is going on behind the scenes of being behind the scene in social media.
Great insight Teresa. We live in a 24/7 world and we need to know when enough is enough. Thanks for sharing your observations.
It’s great you pointed out the other perceived threats to our brains, Joyce. It’s too easy to claim this will be the thing that destroys us, forgetting just about every generation has successfully dealt with some new ‘threat’. I think we don’t give our brains enough credit.
There was a comedian back in the 70’s and 80’s, who was famous for saying “it’s always somethim”
Well, Joyce, that was a true eye-opener. Firstly, I used to be proud of multi-tasking. Over the past year, I’ve changed my behavior so that I focus on a single task at one time and then move on. I use time blocking and don’t answer the phone during my most productive times. Secondly, the stats in the infographic are shocking. I’ve noticed a decline in my attention span, but I had no idea about some of the other negative effects of tech and social media. Lastly, social media has made us so narcissistic! Whenever I take a selfie I ask myself why anyone would care what I’m doing at any given moment, but that is who we’ve become as a society. I think younger generations are going to have a rough time when they are adults and can’t sit still or focus!
Hopefully, Meghan, the younger generation will take advantage of meditations and mindfulness, and we’ll just have to wait and see how their brains adapt.
Very interesting information, Joyce! And while yep, the technological age is changing us, as you say, another threat will come after that.
One of the oddest things we’re seeing in my business is about shortened attention spans. Book readers have a more difficult time staying focused and sticking with a book (Amazon actually tracks this). Stories with nuance and depth often get overlooked. It’s crazy, really.
But I love your take on social media and behavior. Especially: “Social media is still about the old social lessons that parents try to get their kids to understand.” Yes, ma’am!
It would be interesting to know if there was a correlation between declining reading span of attention and increase in audio books. As to behavior, there’s always a good story about a stupid person and their devices. One was recently of a politician sending out a screen shot of an email message about some family values legislation he was supporting. Fortunately, for all of us, he forgot to close his open tabs to three different porn sites. Guess he was doing research.