Is The New Generation Re-Wired?
Technology & The Generation Gap (Part III)
There have been so many studies around video games and interactive media, especially in regards to children, that opposite points of view, (interactive–media–is–GOOD, interactive–media–is–BAD) have been clearly demonstrated. So how do we know if we should limit interactive media and games for our youth? We don't. What we do know for sure, is that video games and interactive media are here to stay. We also know that developing brains are being changed by our new technology. In other words, technology is playing a part in human evolution.
The New Brain
Neuroscientists have shown that video gaming has an effect on brain size and connectivity by stimulating neurogenesis, the growth of neurons in the brain. One study noted that improvements were seen in the parts of the brain that involve functions such as spatial navigation, memory formation, strategic planning, and fine motor skills. The changes were more pronounced in gamers who had a more passionate desire to play the video game. The study demonstrates the direct causal link between video gaming and a volumetric brain increase, proving that specific brain regions are actually trained by video games. What does this mean for the generation growing up with the current interactive technology?