Contact us
News

News

Bar Ilan Study: Beware of Using WhatsApp Excessively

Published on Monday May 10th, 2021

A study carried out at the Department of Scientific Information of Bar Ilan University came up with an additional reason to limit the use of the Whatsapp instant message application.  The study revealed that the exaggerated use of instant messaging creates a situation whereby one feels the need to be available anytime and anywhere. This may affect students' ability to compete with tasks, as well as negatively influence their use of what is known as “working memory”.

Working memory is a very important component of the brain’s management function. To begin with, it enhances studying capacities. Various mental activities are processed by the working memory, which is responsible for temporarily holding new information before processing it.

It is pivotal in allowing the manipulation of stored information, as well as for distinguishing between stored and new information (which can be later retrieved from memory). Working memory is related to various skills that influence academic performance, such as reading, reasoning, decision-making, writing, spelling, and mathematics.

This study’s participants, included 64 students, ages 12 to 17, 40 girls and 24 young men. The division between the prototype group and the control group was equal in participants’ numbers and genders.

Working memory skills were tested on students aged 12-17 while the latter performed distracting tasks, such as messaging on Whatsapp. During the research, young people had to pass various memory tests. One of the groups was receiving Whatsapp messages and taking tests simultaneously. The results of the study clearly showed that the group exposed to these distractions obtained significantly poorer results, compared to the group tested in the absence of mobile phones.

According to the study, members of the prototype group who were using Whatsapp were less successful in their memory tests. Moreover, it turned out that these young people encountered greater difficulties in their tests and their results were less satisfactory. The study registered similar difficulties in both girls and boys.

Professor Noa Acharoni, director of the Department of Scientific Information at Bar Ilan University, says: "The results of this study highlight a two-sided approach regarding the use of advanced technologies. On the one hand, technology helps us move forward. However, excessive use of technology entails dangers.

"Users must gain awareness of the dangers inherent in the use of technological devices and their negative effects on our lives. We hope that this research will have an impact on the school system's attitude regarding the use of mobile phones during school hours," Acharoni concludes.

The Torah-Box Team - © Torah-Box

Torah-Box.net Account

To access the entire Torah-Box.net website, sign up for free in less than a minute.

Weekly Parsha

Tzav

Candle Lighting Candle Lighting - New York

Friday March 29th, 2024 at 19:00 *
Shabbat ends at 20:01 *
change my location
* Times given as an indication, check the times of your community

Upcoming Holiday

Scroll to top