While all of these findings require follow-up confirmation, this series of studies shows that stress, burnout, and psychological problems have been on the rise in recent years, and the amount of information available is on the rise.
Internet related information overload, defined as "a phenomenon in which rapid, heavy input and processing of information burdens the brain," can lead to fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, reduced productivity, psychological disorders, and neurological problems, including but not limited to irritability, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, indecision, impulsivity, and loss of working memory. And similar neurocognitive disorders."
Even setting aside any psychological or stress-related harm, there is evidence that information overload may impair the brain's ability to properly weigh and interpret important information.
Going back to news research by Iryna Pentina from the University of Toledo, she and her co-authors identified a few approaches to "load-adjustment strategies," or some of the steps the brain takes when it comes to processing an influx of information.
The brain may delete certain information. Pentina and her co-authors write that people "may stop searching for further information and instead rely on their social networks... He even denied or deliberately failed to understand the existence of specific news.
Her research focuses on social media sites, which are rich sources of news-related information, much of which is filtered through peer groups.
She and her co-authors are careful to point out that in some cases, social media can help people understand some news, but social media can also facilitate the spread of flawed opinions.
In sum, a brain overfed by news is not only susceptible to stress and psychological turmoil, it may also respond to this information overload by blocking out conflicting information and embracing those narrow and biased views.
Society's problems are never simple, and neither are the solutions. But this study suggests that if we all pay attention to reducing the information burden on our brains - for example, by giving our brains more time to wander or mentally wander - there are significant benefits to our cognitive, psychological, and civic health.
