Twitter weakens working memory, Total War may enhance it

It never fails that when something new comes along the scientists and researchers start sharpening their funding money in order to decide whether the shiny new thing is good or bad for us. When it comes to social media services like Twitter and Facebook it is no different with study after study being written to warn us about the good and bad.

The newest one is from Dr. Tracy Alloway, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, and suggests that things like Twitter and YouTube could be weakening out working memory. This is the memory that involves the ability to both remember information and to use it.

Apparently the instant nature of texting as we see with Twitter is not healthy for working memory.

”On Twitter you receive an endless stream of information, but it’s also very succinct,” said Dr Alloway. ”You don’t have to process that information.

”Your attention span is being reduced and you’re not engaging your brain and improving nerve connections.”

Source: Telegraph – Facebook ‘enhances intelligence’ but Twitter ‘diminishes it’, claims psychologist

Interestingly enough though video games that involve planning and strategy, such as Total War, may also be good training for working memory. As well games like Sudoku and keeping up with friends on Facebook are good for stretching your working memory.