Think of your brain like your body. What do you feed it each day? A brain diet high in video games and low in cognitive demands will lead to mental obesity!
The NY Times is reporting that new web sites aimed at children, especially girls, are on the rise. These sites allow kids to chat, Instant Message, Accessorize their cartoon avatars, dress up dolls and play video games. Sounds like fun, so what’s the problem?
The problem is that your brain is like a muscle–use it or lose it. Spending an hour or two playing high stimulus, low cognition games (or watching equivalent TV programs, or reading equivalent comic books) is fine IF IT IS PART OF A WELL-BALANCED BRAIN DIET.
What makes a well-balanced brain diet?
Introducing the Brain-Food Pyramid:
- 1-2 Hours of High-Stimulus, Low-Cognition activities: video games, TV, passive music, chatting with friends, internet surfing.
- 1-2 Hours of High-Cognition Activities: reading above grade level, write an essay, playing a musical instrument, peak-performance athletics, planning a big project.
- 1-2 Hours of Physical Activity: walking, jogging, swimming, unstructured playing, sports, bicycling, etc.
- 1-2 Hours of Socializing: hanging out with friends and family.
- 7-10 hours of sleep!
“Kids these days” are packing on 4-14 hours PER DAY of high stimulus activities that require next to zero thinking. They’re ignoring the other aspects of life, sacrificing social skills and physical health (including sleep) in order to get their next “fix” of almost-free brain stimulus.
Your brain needs exercise every day in order to stay in shape. Don’t let Barbie take that away!
Good luck,
Allen Dobkin
