Balance needed in technology discussions

17:58 5th June 2009

A balance needs to be found when discussing the advantages and disadvantages of technology in people's lives, an expert body has claimed.

The British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) has said that the daily benefits of using technology should be incorporated into discussions about the potential adverse effects.

Calls for balance come in response to research from the University of California suggesting that the prevalence of technology and the extent to which we consume media hampers our ability to process information effectively.

Justin Cooke, chairman of BIMA, said: "The other thing to look at is the fact that our lives are getting better and our general wellbeing is improving [through] the use of [the] applications that are now available."

In addition, computer training and knowledge of the latest technology can help people find new jobs and cope with the stresses of everyday life more effectively.

The University of California study revealed that test subjects took up to eight seconds to respond to true-life stories of skill or virtue, perhaps due to the numbing of processing capabilities.