Study Blames Short Attention Spans on TV and Video Games
Study Blames Short Attention Spans on TV and Video Games
Posted 07/09/2010 at 6:02am
| by Paul Lilly
11
Comments
Print
You can add short attention spans to the list of ailments that affect frequent gamers, suggests a new study published in the July issue of Pediatrics, Television, and Video Game Exposure and the Development of Attention Problems.
The study, which was conducted by Edward Swing and his team of researchers at Iowa State University, examined two different age groups, including middle schoolers (third to fifth graders) and 2010 college students. They wanted to see if there was any danger in exceeding the 2-hour max limit for TV viewing and videogame playing as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
"Those who exceeded the AAP recommendation were about 1.6 times to 2.2 times more likely to have greater than average attention problems," the study concludes.
This isn't the first study to link screen time with short attention spans.
"There may well be a relation between television viewing and attention problems," said Dr. David Elkind, professor emeritus of child development at Tufts University.
Read more here.
More like this
11
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
aviaggio
July 09, 2010 at 10:33am
This is all backwards. TV shows and video games actually make our brains work better and faster. The problem is that when we get back to real life it's like trying to run thru molasses. Since 99% of schools lump everyone with an IQ of 60-150+ in the same classroom, is it any wonder why they are always bored and can't pay attention?
It's not that kids with attention problems or ADHD can't pay attention, it's that there is very little going on in the real world that stimulates them enough for them to want to pay attention. So instead of trying to match the pace of their brains parents and teachers dope them up with Ritalin to dumb them down. Did you know there are ZERO long-term studies about the effects of Ritalin on children? Know why? Cause they already know what long-term stimulant abuse does to the brain. It chicken-fries it. We know this. Doing a study would only affirm what they already know, and of course they don't want that information to be reaffirmed.
Karite36
July 09, 2010 at 4:30pm
I'm 15, and reading this article, I said the exact same thing. I was on Ritalin (a methamphetamine btw) for a long time, I'm glad it didn't get a chance to really fuck me up. I had the shacking, I picked at my skin, I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, that's not something a 5-6 year old should have to go through. Thankfully, I have Aspergers, you can't take away my "disorder", I have an average 84-86 at worst, mid 90s at best. Thankfully I'm predominantly a mesomorph, so it didn't do much to my growth, I am a competitive powerlifter, at 235lb, 5'10.
But as far as the attention span goes, yes. Just like a guy who can lift 500lb, doing 100lb is boring and pointless, but people can't understand and they label us. Attention is the ability of an individual to focus on any set of stimuli toward any of the 22 or so senses (yes, we have more than 5 senses, like for instance proprioception). If you remember the article that on maximumpc says pro gamers have the visual acuity of fighter pilots, that proves the point. Once you have been rewired to either focus intently on one object, or all the various elements in an image, our educational system can't accommodate you. It's sad.
devin3627
July 10, 2010 at 2:04am
New Study Shows Early Ritalin May Cause Long-term Effects On The Brain
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/12/041220013546.htm
devin3627
July 10, 2010 at 2:03am
I am 23 years old and was on Ritalin for ADHD first when I was 5 and stopped when they upped my dose to 60mg until I was a vegstable. I pulled out my eyelashes and the hair on my head. They put me on anti-depressants to alleviate the effects of ritalin and gave me sleep medication which gave me withdrawal symptoms. I stopped when I was 16 because I had severe emotional problems. I now have to have 1000mg (1g) caffeine tablets to be able to have a consistent social conversation without spacing. I am 220lbs. If I don't have caffeine, I sit at home all day and my arms and legs all feel really heavy and I don't feel like doing anything or talking to anyone, I lose confidence and energy to do anything.
williezzy
July 09, 2010 at 9:49am
I, as a 14 year old, play video games, make video games, and watch tv for atleast 8 hours a day, if not more than that. I have an attention span that has literally lasted for days in some cases. Either this study is false or I'm just straight up weird.
rseding91
July 09, 2010 at 9:34am
I think it's more along the lines of: people who can't pay atention like to play video games a lot more then those who can.
It's the same thing as with the "violent video games cause kids to be violent " - it's the oposite. Violent kids LIKE to play violent video games.
You just know the people doing these studies are old guys who think all technology is evil.
williezzy
July 09, 2010 at 9:57am
I'm not violent, I'm actually a very kind and caring person, but I love violent video, it allows me to express myself in a way that I never would in real life and without any consequences. I'm even making my own FPS at this very moment.
Ntldr
July 09, 2010 at 9:08am
I would think a game or TV would cause better attention. Because if you don't pay attention in a game you die or miss something vital, same with a tv show. Just my opinion.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy2 days 3 hours ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj2 days 3 hours ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E4 days 1 hour ago
