Journalist Frederik Tibeau published an interesting article on Data News today, “Social websites harmful for young children’s brains”. Neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, from Oxford University thinks social network sites like Facebook or Netlog will bring irreversible damage to the brain of young children. They will not be able to concentrate for a long period and have identity problems, a complete lack of empathy and no sense of consequences.

Children grow up in a world which has rapidly changed so I would think it’s a natural thing that our brains adapt to this new world. If they didn’t they would go crazy or epileptic from an information overload. I wrote a post about this a while ago, I still believe children should be taught how to find information a bit more in stead of learning to reproduce it.

This being said, I don’t think there is a need for drama. Children have always been, and always will be, great personal brand managers. They know what toys will make you look cool in school and what clothes will make you look like a geek (which is great!). Only now they also brand themselves online as well as in school or on the playground.

When I was growing up 20 years ago – am I really getting that old? – we played outside instead of reading a book. Children have been reading less and less for over 20 years so I don’t see how that should be related to social media.

All in all Susan Greenfield’s tone of voice reminds me of exploitation movies like Sex Madness or Reefer Madness who became real cult fims. They were never supposed to be funny but looking back they offer a great insight on how our ancestors thought about stuff that seems really natural for us.

I have good hopes that in 80 years from now other people will look back on statements, and then share it by doing something which is so cool I can’t even imagine it would ever be possible, and then continue with their work.