INformation Overload – Finding Balance On-Line

Social media and other on-line technologies have brought our world closer together. We now have vast resources to exchange information, provide valuable resources, and also receive instantaneous input from others. Yet when does this inundation of information become “too much”? At what point does it expend our creative mindset and critical thinking abilities?

Nicholas Carr in his book, What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains, The Shallows, a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction, mentioned as we gather more information, more dopamine releases in our brains. This thrill factor generates a non-ending quest for more data. The advent of the internet and all of its related uses, i.e. social media, encourages us to seek small bits of information from a multitude of sources. He proposes that the more we multi-task, the more we poorly task. His primary concern is we’re so focused on obtaining facts and figures that we no longer take the time to contemplate and/or question them.

Carr, a former editor for the Harvard Business Review, contends that being able to attain data rapidly is positive. The information age allows us to retrieve an enormous range of information on any given topic, and this is to its credit. He argues what is missing is the balance between obtaining information and assimilating it. Many of us are in continual motion as we attempt to keep up with exhaustive demands we face both at home and at work. The acceleration of our lives, especially with the advent of new technologies, is changing the ways our brains uses to attain and store information, thus literally transforming our neural pathways.

 A recent article in Parade, “Born to Be Wired,” (October 9, 2011) discussed how the connectedness of teenagers through texting and social media promotes socialization and the sense of a greater world out there. A concern is that an over reliance on these technologies does not teach a child how to converse with others in person, understand interpersonal skills, and negotiate well. “With the average teen sending more than 50 texts a day (for teens up to 2 hours per day), younger children playing video games over 10 hours a week, and 51% of teens logging onto social networks more than once a day, there are concerns of this  behavior bordering addiction.” Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, claims that an unexpected text fires up dopamine cells which are an aspect of addictive behaviors based on feeling pleasure. This is the same natural drug-induced reaction we adults receive from seeking more and more information.

Although there are positive aspects for teens with new technologies, i.e. parents now can keep closer tabs on their children through the use of cell phones, it is vital that teens be offered guidance. Boundaries need to be set with the amount computer usage (particularly with social media sites) and texting. Parents need to encourage children to spend time outdoors, get exercise, socialize in person with their friends and talk on the phone as opposed to only texting. Otherwise the potential of their brains being rewired in negative ways, along with the nature of their relationships with one another, their families, and the world around them becoming more superficial is a strong possibility.

 Given that technology is here to stay and the pace doesn’t show any sign of slowing down, here are some tips to help you and your family find more balance on-line:

1)     Create a ground rule–no texting or computer use at the dinner table. Return to “old fashioned” meals together where you share your day and have “real” conversation. You may also want to designate no texting/computer zones in your home (i.e. the family room, living room).

2)     Adults need to be role models. Limit your use of social media daily and time yourself. Be accountable. Then you can also recommend this for your children. They need guidelines and look to you for this support.

3)     When researching information, do not believe everything you read. Do find multiple sources yet then contemplate what you’ve read. Use your critical thinking skills and your intuition to explore what seems true for you.

4)     Balance social media involvement with in-person interactions. This can look like joining or starting a book club or a mastermind group for personal or professional support along with being active on Facebook, Twitter and/or other social media sites.

5)     If you own a business do not rely on your social media involvement as your sole marketing effort. Create a balanced plan which also has public interaction (i.e. networking groups which meet in person).

6)     Plan family outings, date nights, and time with friends on a regular basis. Make it a point to get out of your home at least once a week for a change of scenery “unplugged.”

7)     Encourage deeper discussions in-person with your family members and/or friends. Utilize the wealth of information at our disposal and delve into it. Explore it, discuss your opinions, question and/or debate it. Don’t accept information “as is” without giving it some thought. You will not only fire more neurons in your brain, you’ll also light up your creativity.