Internet Use Improves Brainpower

Searching online is better than reading books for increasing the brainpower of middle-aged and older adults, new research indicates.

A University of California Los Angles team of scientists found searching on the Internet stimulates parts of the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning.

The findings come from a study of 24 volunteers aged 55 to 76 who were asked to either search online or read while their brains were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Dr. Gary Small

"The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults," said principal investigator Dr Gary Small, a professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at University of California.

‘Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function."

The volunteers in the study were composed of two groups, half were experienced Internet users and the others were not.

All the study participants showed increased brain activity while reading a book, but Internet searches revealed a difference between the two groups. Those who were Internet savvy registered more brain activity, while those new to the Internet did not.

"Our most striking finding was that Internet searching appears to engage a greater extent of neural circuitry that is not activated during reading – but only in those with prior Internet experience," said Dr Small.

There are 14 Comments. Add Yours.

Magnus Andersson
October 15, 2008 at 5:10 am

The results of this particular study are not surprising.

Reading can be quite a passive activity, you just read on and on. If you don’t understand something, maybe you will think a bit, maybe.

Searching the net though is more engaging, especially if you are a bit used to it, because then you have already know that you need to think logically and strategically in order to get a good result, if what you search for is a bit difficult to find.

I am quite good at searching and have a lot of practice. I even thought of starting a business offering companies to do searches for them. Searching is an art. Those not used to it does often not realize that.

So,
reading = little activity
searching if not used to it = some activity
searching and being used to it = a lot of activity

Magnus
BobCrunch
October 15, 2008 at 10:36 am

Websearching is mostly non-linear thinking whereas reading is more linear thinking. Non-linear thinking is goal-seeking whereas linear thinking expands knowledge without necessarily having a specific goal in mind. Both methods are effective in expanding knowledge.
Guest
October 16, 2008 at 9:17 am

Fair enough, but this article contains a comma splice! Evidently the grammar center of the brain isn’t being "activated" during internet searches…
foudyl
October 17, 2008 at 10:36 am

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Foudyl
Edward Han
October 19, 2008 at 7:11 am

Well, as I usually spend 10 hours or more with my computer using the Internet, I am happy to hear about this findings.

If it is true then I will continue using it for long hours as my age is catching up with me. I do hope that it will help to increase my brainpower as well as improve my memory. My job needs me to recall lots of things so it will definitely helps if I can have a better memory with brainpower.
kombizz
October 19, 2008 at 2:33 pm

It is an interesting article.
Facts
October 20, 2008 at 7:39 am

Thanks for the information Mike. I enjoy reading your posts and am looking forward to the next one.
lewis
January 31, 2009 at 5:04 pm

Thats great news for the younger generations. Our minds should be fine when we get older.
Guest
March 13, 2009 at 10:02 am

These individuals spend so much time surfing the net at work, that for any workplace that offers Internet access, you can bet that 25% of the time your employees are not working. That’s 2 hours a day, every day.

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Used Maserati
March 30, 2009 at 5:57 am

The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults,” said principal investigator Dr Gary Small, a professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at University of California.
betclic
April 7, 2009 at 11:19 am

I love reading paper book ! it’s better for the eyes than a screen i think ! Google want to make a big librari of all book in the world, we’ve got to be carefull, any other opinions about ebook ?
Bwin
May 8, 2009 at 2:01 am

I think it would be always better to continue has to read on paper … books, because the screens are not good forcing for the eyes
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Phil
September 1, 2009 at 11:32 pm

While it may increase brain power, I am likewise convinced that it is creating a nation of nothing but ADD people. LOL.

I do think it makes you more intelligent. No doubt about that.