Weapons of mass distraction

Is our habit of using more than one screen at a time doing our brains damage or helping us to become better multitaskers? Sarah Taaffe-Maguire investigates

Our phones are never far from hand. Inevitably our behaviour will be affected. And now, we’re not satisfied with just one screen. Using two devices at once is increasing year-on-year. If you’re guilty of thumbing through your phone or laptop while watching TV, researchers are observing your habits, but their findings are not necessarily bad news.

The idea that screen use is inherently negative has long been challenged. Author Steven Johnson has a ...