This document discusses digital multitasking and its effects on digital natives' productivity and health. It defines digital multitasking and digital natives, and outlines both positive and negative effects. While some research has found benefits like increased productivity for high media multitaskers, other research has linked heavy digital multitasking to decreased academic performance, increased stress levels, and diminished productivity of up to 40%. The document concludes that digital natives should generally limit multitasking on devices to be happier, healthier and more productive, unless they are among the small percentage of "high media multitaskers."

1. Digital
Multitasking
And its effects on digital natives'
productivity and health
A FLIPBOOK BY MICHELLE LACKEY

2. What is
Multitasking?
Multitasking is the ability to do several things at
the same time, or the performance of multiple
tasks at one time. [9]
DEFINITION:

3. TABLETS
COMMON DIGITAL PLATFORMS
LAPTOPSPHONES

4. Television viewers' attention is
increasingly more often divided
between television and "second
screens", for example when
viewing television broadcasts and
following their related social media
discussion on a tablet computer. [3]
ExampleofDigitalMultitasking

5. Digital Natives?
Age group that grew up using
technology (anyone born after 1980)
Interacting regularly with technology at a
young age is the deciding factor for being
included in demographic [15]
They are the most relevant demographic
for this topic as they are avid users of these
platforms
FOCUS DEMOGRAPHIC

6. NEGATIVE EFFECTS
TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY
POSITIVE EFFECTS

7. Positive
Effects
A study found "high media multitaskers"
performed better when working with the
distractions of email and music than when
focusing on a single activity. [13]
DIGITAL MULTITASKING INCREASES
PRODUCTIVITY FOR SOME TEENS

8. - ALEXANDRA ULMER, A STUDENT RESEARCHER IN PORTLAND,
ORE.
‘What our research is suggesting is
that maybe our brains as
adolescents and digital natives
have adapted to this media
influence.’ [13]

9. However,

10. Of the study participants fell under this category,
despite the fact they were all within the same age
group. [13]
Only 15%

11. - Zheng Wang, lead author of the study and
assistant professor of communication at
Ohio State University. [3]
“There’s this myth
among some
people that
multitasking
makes them more
productive,”

12. INCREASING LEVELS OF
STRESS
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIGITAL MULTITASKING
DIMINISHES ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE
GENERALLY DECREASES
PRODUCTIVITY

13. Decreased
Productivity
Digital multitasking can lead
to a decrease of up to 40% in
productivity, which in turn
leads to the decreased
academic performance and
increased stress levels [1]

14. Decreased
Academic
Performance
College students who spent more time using information
and communication technologies while doing homework
—specifically Facebook and texting—had lower college
grade point averages.
Students who spent more time using instant messaging
while studying or doing schoolwork had lower grades. [5]
JUNCO AND COTTON (2012) FOUND:

15. Increased Levels of Stress
DETRIMENT TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
Over time, the stress of multitasking may even become dangerous,
A steady flow of stress hormones can strain the body and
threaten health.
"Stress can cause headaches, stomach trouble, and sleep
problems. Chronic work-related stress can lead to chronic
problems, including back pain, heart disease, and depression." -
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [10]

16. Verdict:

17. Digital Natives should stop
multitasking on devices in order to
be happier, healthier, and more
productive,
(Unless they're high media
multitaskers!)

18. Works Cited
1. Fryrear, Andrea. "The High Cost of Multitasking: 40% of Productivity Lost by Task Switching." Blog Wrike. N.p., 05 Sept.
2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <https://www.wrike.com/blog/high-cost-of-multitasking-for-productivity/>.
2. Gorlick, By Adam. "Media Multitaskers Pay Mental Price, Stanford Study Shows." Stanford News. Stanford News Service, 15
Apr. 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://news.stanford.edu/2009/08/24/multitask-research-study-082409/>.
3. Grabmeier, Jeff. "Research and Innovation Communications." Multitasking May Hurt Your Performance, But It Makes You
Feel Better. Ohio State University, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/multitask.htm>.
4. Gustke, Constance. "Technology, While Not a Fountain of Youth, Can Make Aging Safer." The New York Times. The New
York Times, 24 July 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/your-money/technology-while-not-a-
fountain-of-youth-can-make-aging-safer.html?_r=0>.
5. Junco, R., and S. Cotten. "Http://www.elsevier.com/copyrightAuthor's Personal Copy." (n.d.): n. pag. The Relationship
between Multitasking and Academic Performance. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://blog.reyjunco.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/03/JuncoCottenMultitaskingFBTextCAE2012.pdf>.
6. Katsyri, J., T. Kinnnuen, K. Kusumoto, and P. Oittinen. "Negativity Bias in Media Multitasking: The Effects of Negative Social
Media Messages on Attention to Television News Broadcasts." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National
Library of Medicine, 4 May 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27144385>.
7. Matrix, Sidneyeve. "Module 01 Media Convergence." FILM 240 Media and Culture. Queen's University, 12 Sept 2016. Web.
20 Oct 2016.
8. Matrix, Sidneyeve. "Module 02 Promotional Media." FILM 240 Media and Culture. Queen's University, 26 Sept 2016. Web.
20 Oct 2016.
9. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/multitasking>.
10. "Multitasking, Social Media and Distraction: Research Review - Journalist's Resource." Journalists Resource. N.p., 13 Apr.
2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/social-media/multitasking-social-media-
distraction-what-does-research-say>.

19. Works Cited Continued
11. Neidlinger, Julie. "8 Startling Truths About Multitasking And Productivity." CoSchedule Blog The Horrifying Truth About
Multitasking And Productivity Comments. N.p., 24 Aug. 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
<http://coschedule.com/blog/multitasking-and-productivity/>.
12. Payne, Elizabeth. "Study Links Poor Teen Mental Health to Social Media Use." Ottawa Citizen. N.p., 08 Aug. 2015. Web. 21
Oct. 2016. <http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/study-links-poor-teen-mental-health-to-social-media-use>.
13. Reddy, Sumathi. "Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking Doing Homework With Music, Texts, Tweets Works
Better for Some." N.p., 13 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-researchers-defend-media-
multitasking-1413220118>.
14. Rosen, Larry D. "Facebook and Texting Made Me Do It: Media-induced Task-switching While Studying." Facebook and
Texting Made Me Do It: Media-induced Task-switching While Studying. Elsevier Ltd., May 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563212003305>.
15. Thompson, Penny. "The Digital Natives as Learners: Technology Use Patterns and Approaches to Learning." The Digital
Natives as Learners: Technology Use Patterns and Approaches to Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131513000225>.
"16. Young Children's Initiation into Family Literacy Practices in the Digital Age." Young Children's Initiation into Family
Literacy Practices in the Digital Age. N.p., 18 June 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
<http://ecr.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/06/17/1476718X15582095>.

20. Works Cited (Images)
Some photos were my own and therefore are not cited. Additionally, some photos came with the layout of the tool I
used. The photos cited below are creative commons photos I downloaded for the purpose of this project.
1. http://kaboompics.com/one_foto/1668
2. http://kaboompics.com/files/upload/o_1am26c9u8maf1k2c1leo19ld1kf07_new.jpg 3.
http://kaboompics.com/files/upload/o_1aom1fjmn17itp6hntjvaud9b7_new.jpg 4.
http://kaboompics.com/one_foto/1610 https://picjumbo.com/young-woman-holding-iphone-in-her-right-hand/
https://picjumbo.com/download/?d=HNCK1218.jpg&n=night-owl-man-working-on-computer-at-night
5. https://picjumbo.com/macbook-pro-at-pink-night/ https://picjumbo.com/ipad-tablet-and-macbook-laptop-
workspace-from-above/
6. https://picjumbo.com/minimalist-home-office-workspace-desk-setup/
7. https://picjumbo.com/man-checking-his-iphone-working-at-home-office/
8. https://www.flickr.com/photos/leviphotos/2332987961
9. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kianasimon/4694976930/in/photolist-89SZ57-cZ7B5h-aubkJ5-6qaYqq-
6rKg7L-7h6PeD-9x7TiD-7WkxGP-8956Lg-do9xzR-FqhCfw-9xyxhH-cWHAsb-78sHQS-3nahKh-6Ajj9s-n3iq1-
gpCgY6-8299VW-8Nde4K-6CLWkH-dHHDMA-fYbQfA-8dtJiN-68mU5i-5NdrB6-6396rc-aiAH4z-cWSsMA-796nU7-
2K5ps6-a1zyFn-45vKwE-4BywjR-9xUKXM-wvbTE-8MwFCp-bUiqPP-7XyMoh-6Rk6YV-aWA24-2aMWRc-qntaBG-
9LxpVo-7gw9iE-8ks2ks-7hChU7-b4riTB-ejaNV-bBPPKY
10. https://www.flickr.com/photos/practicalcures/23388685185/in/photolist-BCM8fR-nZDRxi-6b3Sxe-qSMRS2-
bmhV4K-5jKaXK-cqa4Uw-m9t48-5JVVXA-8VXmdb-49e6Bg-6KWFvv-joYkv-e9SKJx-9mRQcA-4aE5Hu-tB4V8-
d6vFkL-5ZyuAy-nXTWyk-4RyTRU-75KbL9-4VWUhd-31kyTi-akkYdq-q49ovj-7Q8wJy-C1ZRGA-dwg7ge-6RjqiR-
8UtSz5-d2oDQb-r4twxJ-kdZ8bQ-272cHL-2qaURA-boYQai-aza8u2-4MZ95K-ac4Bm2-nPSjjb-yKtVrH-8NH9JD-
pLMeXB-bxvEfg-5P51yh-epVSUN-w1WKp7-4A19ms-ejba8g
11. http://www.freeimages.com/photo/stressed-1254396