Internet use 'good for the brain'

[shadow2get]

For middle aged and older people at least, using the internet helps boost brain power, research suggests.
A University of California Los Angeles team found searching the web stimulates centres in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning.
The researchers say this might even help to counter-act the age-related physiological changes that cause the brain to slow down. The study features in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.


Areas activated by reading a book in the brain of an experienced web user

A simple, everyday task like searching the web appears to enhance brain circuitry in older adults
Professor Gary Small
University of California Los Angeles

As the brain ages, a number of changes occur, including shrinkage and reductions in cell activity, which can impact on performance. It has long been thought that activities which keep the brain active, such as crossword puzzles, may help minimise the impact - and the latest study suggests that surfing the web can be added to the list.


Web use stimulates much more activity in the same brain

Lead researcher Professor Gary Small said: "The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults.
"Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function." The latest study was based on 24 volunteers aged between 55 and 76. Half were experienced internet users, the rest were not.

Compared with reading
Each volunteer underwent a brain scan while performing web searches and book-reading tasks. Both types of task produced evidence of significant activity in regions of the brain controlling language, reading, memory and visual abilities.
However, the web search task produced significant additional activity in separate areas of the brain which control decision-making and complex reasoning - but only in those who were experienced web users.


Brain activity in web newcomers: similar for reading and internet use

The researchers said that compared with simple reading, the internet's wealth of choices requires that people make decisions about what to click on in order to get the relevant information. However, they suggested that newcomers to the web had not quite grasped the strategies needed to successfully carry out a web search.

Professor Smith said: "A simple, everyday task like searching the web appears to enhance brain circuitry in older adults, demonstrating that our brains are sensitive and can continue to learn as we grow older."

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: "These fascinating findings add to previous research suggesting that middle-aged and older people can reduce their risk of dementia by taking part in regular mentally stimulating activities. "Older web users - 'silver surfers' - are doing precisely this. "Frequent social interactions, regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet can also reduce dementia risk."

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Use it or lose it may well be a positive message to keep people active but there is very little real evidence that keeping the brain exercised with puzzles, games or other activities can promote cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia."

Source

[mikeon]

So Internet addicts should be real smart people then ?

[mastermunj]

^^lol .. yes they are, unless they divert their smartness to filthy stuff

[devilinearth]

People interested in technology and all that kind of stuff are always smarter.

[Anorion]

so this is just for old geezers right? what about young people... I know a few cases where the internet has definately dumbed people down

[_hsr]

^^ ya my case is the perfect one.

8th grade : only pc :98% marks
9th grade : only dialup :85% marks
10th grade : good pc+dialup+active TD foruming :79% marks
11thgrade : Great config+BroadBand :69% marks


Thanks to the internet for my (-)growth.

[Sumeet_naik]

Same case here. ....

[NucleusKore]

Yes see us thinkdigit forum users, we have good brain
Then again, if you use the internet only to watch pr0n, then I do not know how good it is for your brain. I guess it boils down to the utility.

[ax3]

lol ........ & ppl have time 2 research on this ?

[amizdu]

Only for middle aged and above middle aged people.

[SunnyChahal]

Originally Posted by Anorion

so this is just for old geezers right? what about young people... I know a few cases where the internet has definately dumbed people down

Not dumbing down you can say but yeah it definately affects study n all.The person gets addicted to the net and gives less importance to other activities which are more or less necessary in his/her life.The result is obvious,degrading marks or dedication at work.

Originally Posted by hari_sanker_r

^^ ya my case is the perfect one.

8th grade : only pc :98% marks
9th grade : only dialup :85% marks
10th grade : good pc+dialup+active TD foruming :79% marks
11thgrade : Great config+BroadBand :69% marks


Thanks to the internet for my (-)growth.

Similar sort of situation here:
Till 7th grade I used to get 85+%.Got 88 in 7th,87 in 8th but in 9th I just went crazy!Very poor performance in the first and second semesters but managed to get 76% in the final semester.Now I'm in 10th grade,didn't get good marks in the first term.Let's see what comes up in CBSE boards.
Till 8t grade anyone(not a real dumb one) manages to get 80%+ even by giving very little time to studies but they get shocks in 9th,10th and the following classes.
I too used to play games all the time till 8th,I also had internet but the studies were never too demanding,at least till then.

[Ross]

@ hari_sanker_r , Sunny1211993

well thats the case with me, my grades tumbledown till HSE, the only difference being i got my computer only after i came in second year of Engineering.(and worth said, i am doing well than my school days, :touchwood

[esumitkumar]

hahaha..now i know why i have become more intelligent than ever

office: internet if free time is there
room : movies + internet
and after that sleep .........

no or very less TV,no books

[W i d e S c r e e N]

Originally Posted by ax3

& ppl have time 2 research on this ?

probably funded by broadband industry guys for acquiring "new tragets"

[dheeraj_kumar]

Seriously folks, it all depends on what you browse on the internet. Watching pr0n randomly can send blood the wrong way.

^^ Not my quote, got it from some forum.

[Gigacore]

@ hari_sanker_r, haha!! keep rockin

[furious_gamer]

Originally Posted by dheeraj_kumar

Seriously folks, it all depends on what you browse on the internet. Watching pr0n randomly can send blood the wrong way.

^^ Not my quote, got it from some forum.

^^ Well said....
I had a similar experience when i was in my 11th std... I used to watch p0rn all the free time and i got low marks that i never scored before in my school days... It just spoiled my 12th marks and i managed to get just 70%...(Complete shame for me in front of my friend and family)..
Afterwards in my college life, i get addicted to games, where it give me another blow of two backogs in my 3rd semester...
Then after i used to allot some time to study and get a reasonable 71%....
Now i am in a Software Company earning just 10k p.m.. Thats really absurd...

[esumitkumar]

Originally Posted by dheeraj_kumar

Seriously folks, it all depends on what you browse on the internet. Watching pr0n randomly can send blood the wrong way.

^^ Not my quote, got it from some forum.

hahaa ..thats right.. but yaar what an anomaly ..ur siggy says Harry Potter and hard disk of PORN ..ye kya chakkar hai

[furious_gamer]

Originally Posted by esumitkumar

hahaa ..thats right.. but yaar what an anomaly ..ur siggy says Harry Potter and hard disk of PORN ..ye kya chakkar hai

[geevees]

This news is amazing! but most anticipated too!!
My observations stands me strong to think, the thing not only for the adults.

[_hsr]

dheeraj probably has harry potter and a hard disk full of porn ! lol

[Psychosocial]

5th standard -> 95%
6th standard -> 95.6%
7th standard -> 94% (forgot.....but was around 92-94%)
8th standard (currently going on.....this are the percentage from my latest report card) -> 92.8%

my schedule (on normal days) ->

1. get up
2. get ready
3. goto school while listening iPod in school bus
4. sleep and break things and harass teachers in school
5. come back and have lunch.
6. watch a movie
7. sleep
8. play games
9. play some more
10. play even more
11. dinner
12. play
13. sleep


On holidays ->

1. get up
2. play
3. play
4. play
5. play
6. play

The day before exam ->

get up, goto school........blah! blah! blah!

come back
lunch
study for 1hr
sleep
play
play
play
play
dinner
sleep

[esumitkumar]

^^OMG : : : what a schedule Kiddo ....
I fear that ur becoming Alex from the clockwork orange :-

ur parents doesnt say anything to u ??? u r all time playing ,watching movies ..do u talk to ur parents or not ? u have created a ghetto for urself .......its not gud....if this continues...i dont know what marks u will be getting in X and XII...and how will u gain admission in engg/medical or any other stream ???

do u have some brother/sister ? do u talk to them or not
there is much more life Paranj than games,PC etc etc...

Play games but only for 2 hrs max..instead go outdoors and play football,badminton,cricket etc..also learn some guitar etc..this way u will be much more social than just being a PC addict

[_hsr]

^^^ lol
but me in 11th grade so ATPNS

ps. ATPNS - All Time Play No Studies lol

nb. i cant make a schedule coz it has only three words play, eat, sleep.

ps. this thread should be study schedule lol

nb. lol

pspsps. the lol and follwed comments was for the 2 above post lol

[esumitkumar]

^^what can i say..today generation's kids are spoiling their life themselves
what can i say..its ur life ..do what u want

[_hsr]

well, i r obsessed wid studies

[Psychosocial]

Originally Posted by esumitkumar

^^OMG : : : what a schedule Kiddo ....
I fear that ur becoming Alex from the clockwork orange :-

ur parents doesnt say anything to u ??? u r all time playing ,watching movies ..do u talk to ur parents or not ? u have created a ghetto for urself .......its not gud....if this continues...i dont know what marks u will be getting in X and XII...and how will u gain admission in engg/medical or any other stream ???

do u have some brother/sister ? do u talk to them or not
there is much more life Paranj than games,PC etc etc...

Play games but only for 2 hrs max..instead go outdoors and play football,badminton,cricket etc..also learn some guitar etc..this way u will be much more social than just being a PC addict

Actually my parents dont have any objection as long as I get good marks!

I have a small sister....she's in 2nd grade......lol

[mikeon]

well how do u manage to get good marks with just 1 hr of studies a day before your exam ?

[SunnyChahal]

@Paranj,I too used to do the same tlll 8th.Used to get 85%+ in any case but I used to play cricket for at least 1 and half hours,I do now also.Outdoors are essential.They keep you fit.
In 9th I got a serious shock,then did some good studying and managed to get decent enough result in the final.Now I'm in tenth,first term result wasn't very good,studying for second term,hope to do well.
And boy,if these trends continue you are likely to get real thrashing in higher classes.Till 8th it's just a piece of cake.You get to see the real thing after that.

[Psychosocial]

^^Actually you are in CBSE and I am in ICSE......so our board is tougher .