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The "online brain": how the Internet may be changing our cognition
Joseph Firth1,2,3, John Torous4, Brendon Stubbs5,6
1NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, Australia.
Summary
The internet impacts brain function, altering attention, memory, and social cognition. Research is needed to understand these cognitive changes and their effects across different age groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The internet's societal impact is evident, yet its effects on brain structure and function are under investigation.
- Understanding how online engagement influences human cognition is crucial in the digital age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine hypotheses on how internet use alters cognitive functions, including attention, memory, and social cognition.
- To synthesize psychological, psychiatric, and neuroimaging findings regarding internet-induced cognitive changes.
Main Methods:
- Review of psychological, psychiatric, and neuroimaging studies.
- Analysis of how unique online features influence attention, memory, and social cognition.
Main Results:
- Internet use can cause acute and sustained alterations in attention, memory, and social cognition.
- These cognitive shifts may correlate with observable changes in brain structure and function.
Conclusions:
- The internet significantly influences cognition, potentially altering brain function across the lifespan.
- Future research should focus on the cognitive development and brain impact of internet use in youth and the elderly.