Breeding an entire generation with A.D.D

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Social media--like many other technological innovations and important inventions-- is rewriting history, transforming the communication industry and basically changing the world as we know it. However, there is one thing that sets social media apart from all other past industrial advances; it is actually rewiring the brains of young people.

According to a new study, young people will be “less likely to undertake deep, critical analysis of issues and challenging information” by the year 2020.

This isn't just a theory, but instead an educated prediction of the way teens and young adults consume information. The study was conducted by Elon University and Pew Internet and involved reports made by more than 1,000 technology stakeholders and critics.

"Some [survey respondents] said they are already witnessing deficiencies in young people’s abilities to focus their attention, be patient and think deeply," said Danah Boyd of Microsoft Research.

Social media is actually breeding an entire generation of individuals with cognitive predispositions towards A.D.D. (which stands for attention deficit disorder for those unfamiliar with the term.)

I can't say I'm surprised at all. My brain feels like it's on information overload all the time--simultaneously texting, tweeting, watching television shows, e-mailing, checking out that new viral video. It seems normal that brains are adapting accordingly and completely rewiring.

Of course, there are also many benefits and advantages to using social media, and we're not all doomed to have A.D.D. But, for those concerned that this 2020 prediction may apply to them, check out the study and be careful of your multi-media multi-tasking.