Byline: Fiona MacRae Science Correspondent
THE modern obsession with computer games, the internet and social networking sites threatens quality of life -- and how our minds work.
Technology has the potential to 'rewire the brain' and risks should be treated as seriously as climate change, according to a leading neuroscientist.
Susan Greenfield warned yesterday that urgent action was needed on the matter to prevent us from sleepwalking into a crisis.
She said: 'This is almost as important as climate change. Whilst it doesn't threaten the existence of the planet like climate change, I think the quality of our existence is threatened and the kind of people we might be in the future.' Miss Greenfield is known for her outspoken views and was axed from Britain's leading scientific charity, the Royal Institution, at the start of the year as part of restructuring. She is now calling for widespread debate on the impact of gaming and other technology on society.
The Oxford University professor believes that constant computer use may be shortening attention spans, encouraging instant gratification and causing a loss of empathy.
There had also been an 'alarming' rise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as the use of anti-hyperactivity drug Ritalin among children.
Miss Greenfield said: 'We need to recognise this as an issue rather than sweeping it under the carpet. We should acknowledge that this is bringing an unprecedented change in our lives and we have to work out whether it is for good or bad.' Some children spend up to seven and a half hours a day in front of a TV screen - the same as a full year or 24-hour days - by the age of seven.
Miss Greenfield said that those playing games online faced a greater chance of obesity because they were encouraged to take risks in cyberspace without consequences. When it came to real life, the gamers did not see a deterrent to over-eating.
She explained: 'Some very good things are coming out of it [technology] but, by the same token, we have got to be very careful about what price we are paying, that the things that are being lost don't outweigh the things gained.
'Rather than sleepwalking into this, we should be the masters and not the slaves of technology and harnessing it in ways that we could do exciting and fulfilling things with.' Meanwhile, benefits of modern technology did include a higher IQ, better memory and greater speed at processing information, according to the researcher, who was speaking at the British Science Festival in Birmingham.
And despite the craze for online 'friends', it was feared that social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook could hamper empathy. Using search engines to find facts could also hinder ability to learn. Limiting children's computer use would only make it more appealing.
Instead, Miss Greenfield called for thorough research on the benefits and risks associated with modern technology.
Dismissing accusations of scaremongering, she said: 'I have yet to find a parent who says "I am really pleased that my kid is spending so much time in front of the computer." We need to take control of our own lives and society. If we don't, who else will?' Miss Greenfield's warnings echo those expressed by psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, who has described the hours spent in front of TVs and computers as 'the greatest unacknowledged health scandal of our time'. He said last month: 'Irrespective of what our children are watching or doing on the screen, a clear relationship is emerging between daily hours of screen-time and negative medical, psychological, behavioural and educational consequences.' reporter@dailymail.ie
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