A new study showed that "second screening", or the simultaneous use of multiple media devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and tablets, may alter the part of the brain linked to cognitive and social skills.
Researchers from the Sackler Center for Consciousness Science of the University of Sussex looked at the brain structures of 75 adult participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The participants also completed questionnaires to determine their usage of media devices such as television, computers, print media, mobile phones, and others.
The analysis revealed that those who use at least two media devices at a time have less density of grey matter in a specific part of their brains when compared to those who use a single device at a time only. Regardless of the participants' individual and personal traits, those who juggle multiple media devices at a time had less grey matter density in their anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). This area of the brain is responsible for emotional and cognitive functions such as reward anticipation and decision making.
"Media multitasking is becoming more prevalent in our lives today and there is increasing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being. Our study was the first to reveal links between media multitasking and brain structure," neuroscientist Kep Kee Loh explained in a press release.
Previous studies have established that prolonged behavioral patterns and habits can change the brain's structure. A change occurs in the brain cells through cortical remapping, the brain's ability to change and adapt to new experiences. A constant second screener is likely to experience this change permanently unless he or she changes the habit.
Researchers admitted that while their findings found a link between media multitasking and changes in the brain's structure, further study is needed to establish a cause and effect between the two.
Further details of the study were published in the Sept. 25 issue of PLOS One.
