Facebook Overuse can Lead to Memory Problems : Nature Worl... http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4106/20130923/faceboo...

naturewn.com

Facebook Overuse can Lead to Memory Problems

0 Comments E-mail Print Text Size

By Staff Reporter Sep 23, 2013 07:13 AM EDT

(Photo : REUTERS/Michael Dalder)

Using Facebook and other social media constantly can lead to short-term memory loss,
researchers from the Royal Institute of Technology (RIT) in Stockholm, Sweden, said.

SHARE THIS STORY According to Erik Fransén, one of the researchers, typical internet LET'S CONNECT
browsing sessions can interfere with brain's capacity to file all the Follow @natureworldnews
necessary information.

Humans rely on what is called "working memory" or short-term memory to make sense of the world around
them. A strong working memory means that people can store all bits of information required to complete a
particular task. Other research has shown that kids with higher working memory are good at comprehension
and math.

Staying online for long periods leaves the brain less time for "housekeeping" and can't clear the information
clutter.

"When you are on Facebook, you are making it harder to keep the things that are 'online' in your brain that
you need," Erik Fransén said. "In fact, when you try to process sensory information like speech or video, you
are going to need partly the same system of working memory, so you are reducing your own working
memory capacity. And when you try to store many things in your working memory, you get less good at
processing information."

Contrary to popular belief, the brain requires "idle time" to transfer data from short-term memory to
long-term memory. So, trying to do many mental tasks only leads to information overload, which can reduce EDITOR'S CHOICES
brain's efficiency in the long run.

This isn't the first time social networking sites like Facebook have been linked to mental problems. Previous

1 of 4 11/11/2014 19:47
Facebook Overuse can Lead to Memory Problems : Nature Worl... http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4106/20130923/faceboo...

research has shown that Facebook is as addictive as sex and has also been linked to anxiety, debt and even NEWS ENVIRONMENT
higher weight.
MOST POPULAR

1 Bees and Flowers Out of Sync, Climate Change

Blamed

2 Freshwater Fish: The Overlooked Solution to

Food Scarcity

Groundwater Crisis is Driving Global Conflict

3 Endangered
Nine Sea Groundwater Crisis is
Turtles Rescued Off Cape Driving Global Conflict
4 Robots Trace The Cause of Antarctica's Melt
ANIMALS BIOLOGY
5 Fukushima Radiation in West Coast Waters is
Harmless, Say Experts

6 Host of Birds, Fish and Mammals Gain New

UN Protection
© 2014 NatureWorldNews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
7 Polar Bear Paws Lead the Way to Potential
0 Comments E-mail Print Mates
Freshwater Fish: The Horse Dung Fungus:
Overlooked Solution to Bizarre Help vs Antibiotic
JOIN THE CONVERSATION Food Scarcity Resistance

0 Comments

Inhalable Ebola Vaccine Looks Promising : Future Springs Could be a Nightmare for
News Allergy Sufferers Email Newsletter
• •
SUBMIT
Avatar — Hey Sentinel,All viruses can Avatar — The best way to fight these growing
have a number of strains. "Strain" traditionally allergy and asthma problems is with proper
means it is characterized by a … HEPA air purifiers and HEPA vacuum …

An Antibiotic Resistant Staph Infection Lizard Limbs Turned into Genitalia : Biology
Came From Livestock : Health & Medicine •
• Avatar — Exactly what is your beef with this
Avatar — The role of the use of TOXIC article? I found it well-written and consistent.
CONCENTRATED SEWAGE SLUDGE should Genitals had to evolve somehow.
be investigated... Many farms spread this on …

2 of 4 11/11/2014 19:47
Facebook Overuse can Lead to Memory Problems : Nature Worl... http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4106/20130923/faceboo...

SPACE

NASA Discovers Where LADEE

Spacecraft Crash Landed

Flyby Comet Siding Spring

Electrified Mars' Atmosphere

Orbital Sciences Explosion: What

Was Lost to the Fire

How Planets Are Born

SCIENCE

Honeybee Diets Help Them

Resist Deadly Pesticides

USDA Gives GMO Potato

Exclusive Approval

Oceans Flooded Earth Earlier

Than Thought

Even a Mere 2500 People

Managed to Kill Off Moa
Scientists Solve Mystery of Milky Way Object
TECH

What Makes a Tide? Two

Buckets, Tubing, and a Pump

Orbital Sciences Explosion: What

Was Lost to the Fire

DNA-Based Circuits with an

Electric Feel

Electronic 'Fish' Helps Us

Understand the Trials of Salmon
Lucky Koala Survives 50-Mile-Long Tiger Leaps onto Boat, Snatches Migration
Roadtrip Helpless Fisherman in East India

Frostie the Baby Goat Fitted with Brown Bear Attacks Alaskan Jogger
Customized Wheelchair to Protect Cubs

Community Fears 80-Ton Blue Whale Dolphins Protect Long-Distance

Carcass Will Explode on its Shore Swimmer from Great White Shark

3 of 4 11/11/2014 19:47
Facebook Overuse can Lead to Memory Problems : Nature Worl... http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/4106/20130923/faceboo...

Home News Animals Biology Environment Health & Medicine Tech Science Space Video

© Copyright 2014 Nature World News. All Rights Reserved.

About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms&Conditions

4 of 4 11/11/2014 19:47