Science fiction books usually end with an apocalypse. With a plethora of articles proclaiming that reading on the internet, a dangerous new pastime, is causing millennials, to be less intelligent and academically behind compared to their predecessors, it seems that the climactic doomsday of the human mind is coming. However, real life is rarely follows the plot dramatic demise we enjoy to read. Instead, research opposes popular opinion, demonstrating that online reading is increasing intelligence and thereby academic performance.
Since the introduction of the internet, intelligence test scores have increased across the board (Gary). However, this increase is not related to a small jump in all facets of general intelligence, as many thought. Rather it results from a substantial leap in problem solving and decision making abilities (Robb). Research has proven, that the brain parts used when reading online are responsible for controlling the …show more content…
Proprietors believe that the entire internet generation is “attention deficit” and therefore will not be academically successful, not only is this reasoning incorrect, it is also incredibly offencive (Birkerts 560). The claim stems from the idea that academic success is intrinsically linked to leisure reading of print materials, which requires sustained focus, an activity that internet users infrequently partake in. However, research has proven that brains of heavy and non internet users display indistinguishable neural activity while reading long passages, proving that such abilities are not affected by electronic reading (Champeau). Additionally, there has been no change in scores on tests, which measure attentiveness (Higgins & Turnure). Disproving the theory of an underlying neurological change. It appears then that the way electronic reading affects our focus, is all in our heads not our
Since the introduction of the internet, intelligence test scores have increased across the board (Gary). However, this increase is not related to a small jump in all facets of general intelligence, as many thought. Rather it results from a substantial leap in problem solving and decision making abilities (Robb). Research has proven, that the brain parts used when reading online are responsible for controlling the …show more content…
Proprietors believe that the entire internet generation is “attention deficit” and therefore will not be academically successful, not only is this reasoning incorrect, it is also incredibly offencive (Birkerts 560). The claim stems from the idea that academic success is intrinsically linked to leisure reading of print materials, which requires sustained focus, an activity that internet users infrequently partake in. However, research has proven that brains of heavy and non internet users display indistinguishable neural activity while reading long passages, proving that such abilities are not affected by electronic reading (Champeau). Additionally, there has been no change in scores on tests, which measure attentiveness (Higgins & Turnure). Disproving the theory of an underlying neurological change. It appears then that the way electronic reading affects our focus, is all in our heads not our