Today’s multitasking teens

On more than one occasion, I entered my 14-year-old son’s room to see if he was doing his homework, only to find him surrounded by gadgets. He’s listening to his iPod, working 4 on his computer, texting on his phone, chatting with friends on his Facebook page, and using Skype with another friend. Somewhere among the gadgets is his homework.

As a parent, I wonder how much is done when he is working on so many different things, but this is the new state of normal for today’s teens. They’re professional media users, switching frequently back and forth among cell phones, iPods, television, video games, and computers.

On average, young people today spend more than seven hours a day with some kind of technology or media, according to research. This is up from six-plus hours in 2005. Besides, 58% of teens aged 13 through 18 say that they 16 multitask “most of the time” with at least one type of media — and they’re generally doing it while working on their homework.

The effect of multitasking on adolescent cognitive brain development is still a mystery because research is inconclusive. But, like any parent, I wonder what all this technological multitasking is doing to my own son’s brain, especially since all kids are different. Some students can multitask and do homework successfully, while others need quiet and fewer technological interruptions. Some may be able to multitask while doing language or arts homework, while others know they need to “unplug” when it comes to math or physics homework. Because teen brains are still developing — and will continue to develop until age 25 — I feel sure that all this multitasking must make a difference.

Internet: <www.schoolfamily.com> (adapted).