FILM 260 Queens University

1. SOCIAL MEDIA & IT'S
EFFECT ON OUR
BRAINS
HEALTH IMPACT
"We have become seduced by distraction" - Psychologist
Daniel Goleman
Althoughwearejustbeginningtounderstand
theimpactbeingconnected24/7hasonour
bodiesandbrains,studieshaveshownseveral
trends. Increasedanxietyandstress,
decreased concentrationandmemory,and
lowerselfwortharethemostfrequently
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.
IDecreased productivity at work is costing the
ecomony 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.

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
→. (2017). The Anxiety of Facebook
| Psych Central. Psych Central.
Retrieved 11 May 2017, from
https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-
anxiety-of-facebook/
Matrix, S (2017) Module 1, Digital
Literacies FILM 260, Queens University
Rosenwald, M. S. (2014, April 6). Serious
reading takes a hit from online scanning
and skimming, researchers say.
Washington Post. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
Anderssen, E. (2014, Mar 29).
CRUSHED. The Globe and Mail
Retrieved from
https://search.proquest.com/docview
/1511086003?accountid=6180