Queens University FILM 260 S17

1. SOCIAL MEDIA & IT'S
EFFECT ON OUR
BRAINS
HEALTH IMPACT
"We have become seduced by distraction" - Psychologist
Daniel Goleman
Although we are just beginning to
understand the impact being connected
24/7 has on our bodies and brains, studies
have shown several trends. Increased
anxiety and stress, decreased
concentration and memory, and lower
self worth are the most frequently
observed.
READING
We could be retraining our brains to process
information differently. We are more likely to
skim over documents looking for key words,
absorbing less meaning from what we read. The
frequent time spent scrolling up and down online
is impacting the linear way in which traditional
reading is performed.
ALL ABOUT BALANCE
Experts suggest practicing mindfulness and
really engaging our brains to determine how
we want to spend or time. Ironically, you
can also find an app to help ypu "disengage"
such as: Buddhify, inner balance and Spire.
INTELLECTUAL IMPACT
Reasearch performed at King's College Institute
of Psychiatry reported a temporary 10 point
drop in IQ of those who reported constant use
of social media.
Decreased productivity at work is costing the
economy billions of dollars and studies show
that it takes an average person 25 minutes to
refocus after online distractions.
POSITIVE BENEFITS
Not all effects are detrimental. Social media
allows people to stay in touch with friends all
over the world and keeps people informed.
It can ignite desire for change and demand
social justice.
It can also impact emotions globally, and for the
better. A recent study showed that for every
positive post, there was an increase of 1.75
positive posts in that social circle.
Citation 1,2
Citation 2,3,5,7,10
Citation 7
Citation 6
Citation 5,8,9

2. CITATIONS
Do You Suffer From Social Media Anxiety Disorder?.
(2017). The Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 May 2017,
from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julie-
spira/social-media-anxiety_b_2451439.html
The Anxiety of Facebook. Psych Central.
(2016) Retrieved 11 May 2017, from
https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-anxiety-of-
facebook
Matrix, S (2017) Module 1, Digital Literacies FILM
260. Queens University. Retrieved 10 May 2017
from https://onq.queensu.ca/d2l/le/content/117252
/Home
Rosenwald, M. S. (2014, April 6). Serious
reading takes a hit from online scanning and
skimming, researchers say. Washington Post.
Retrieved May 10, 2017 from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
Anderssen, E. (2014, Mar 29). CRUSHED. The Globe
and Mail Retrieved 10 May 2017, from
https://search.proquest.com/docview/1511086003?
accountid=6180
Von Pfetten, V. (2016, May 1). Drop Everything and
Read This. New York Times, p. NA(L). Retrieved 9
May 2017 from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=AONE&sw=w&u=queensulaw&v=2.1&it=r&id=GA
LE%7CA451056788&asid=8275bd68b17d1b61e84f3c4
917c86349
What Mindfulness App Is Right for You?. (2017).
Psychology Today. Retrieved 10 May 2017, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/urban-
survival/201508/what-mindfulness-app-is-right-you
Forbes Welcome. (2017). Forbes.com. Retrieved 9 May
2017, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajagrawal/2016/03/18/its-
not-all-bad-the-social-good-of-social-
media/#2d9638dc756f
(2017). Retrieved 11 May 2017, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/nurturing-
self-compassion/201703/mental-health-and-the-
effects-social-media
How Social Media Changed The Way We Read
Books. (2017). HuffPost. Retrieved 9 May 2017, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/social-media-
changed-book-
reading_us_565e00f5e4b08e945fecf079