DigitalMultitasking

And its effects on digital natives'productivity and health

A FLIPBOOK BY MICHELLE LACKEY

What isMultitasking?

Multitasking is the ability to do several things atthe same time, or the performance of multipletasks at one time. [9]

DEFINITION:

TABLETS

COMMON DIGITAL PLATFORMS

LAPTOPSPHONES

Television viewers' attention isincreasingly more often dividedbetween television and "second

screens", for example whenviewing television broadcasts and

following their related social mediadiscussion on a tablet computer. [3]

Example of Digital Multitasking

Digital Natives?

Age group that grew up using

technology (anyone born after 1980)

Interacting regularly with technology at a

young age is the deciding factor for being

included in demographic [15]

They are the most relevant demographic

for this topic as they are avid users of these

platforms

FOCUS DEMOGRAPHIC

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

POSITIVE EFFECTS

PositiveEffects

A study found "high media multitaskers"

performed better when working with the

distractions of email and music than when

focusing on a single activity. [13]

DIGITAL MULTITASKING INCREASESPRODUCTIVITY FOR SOME TEENS

- A L E X A N D R A U L M E R , A S T U D E N T R E S E A R C H E R I N P O R T L A N D ,O R E .

‘What our research is suggesting isthat maybe our brains as

adolescents and digital nativeshave adapted to this media

influence.’ [13]

However,

Of the study participants fell under this category,despite the fact they were all within the same age

group. [13]

Only 15%

- Zheng Wang, lead author of the study andassistant professor of communication at

Ohio State University. [3]

“There’s this mythamong somepeople that

multitaskingmakes them more

productive,”

INCREASING LEVELS OFSTRESS

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF DIGITAL MULTITASKING

DIMINISHES ACADEMICPERFORMANCE

GENERALLY DECREASESPRODUCTIVITY

DecreasedProductivity

Digital multitasking can lead

to a decrease of up to 40% in

productivity, which in turn

leads to the decreased

academic performance and

increased stress levels [1]

DecreasedAcademicPerformance

College students who spent more time using information

and communication technologies while doing homework

—specifically Facebook and texting—had lower college

grade point averages.

Students who spent more time using instant messaging

while studying or doing schoolwork had lower grades. [5]

JUNCO AND COTTON (2012) FOUND:

Increased Levels of StressDETRIMENT TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Over time, the stress of multitasking may even become dangerous, A steady flow of stress hormones can strain the body andthreaten health."Stress can cause headaches, stomach trouble, and sleepproblems. Chronic work-related stress can lead to chronicproblems, including back pain, heart disease, and depression." -National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [10]

Verdict:

Digital Natives should stopmultitasking on devices in order to

be happier, healthier, and moreproductive,

(Unless they're high mediamultitaskers!)

Works Cited1. Fryrear, Andrea. "The High Cost of Multitasking: 40% of Productivity Lost by Task Switching." Blog Wrike. N.p., 05 Sept.2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <https://www.wrike.com/blog/high-cost-of-multitasking-for-productivity/>.

2. Gorlick, By Adam. "Media Multitaskers Pay Mental Price, Stanford Study Shows." Stanford News. Stanford News Service, 15Apr. 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://news.stanford.edu/2009/08/24/multitask-research-study-082409/>.

3. Grabmeier, Jeff. "Research and Innovation Communications." Multitasking May Hurt Your Performance, But It Makes YouFeel Better. Ohio State University, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/multitask.htm>.

4. Gustke, Constance. "Technology, While Not a Fountain of Youth, Can Make Aging Safer." The New York Times. The NewYork Times, 24 July 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/your-money/technology-while-not-a-fountain-of-youth-can-make-aging-safer.html?_r=0>.

5. Junco, R., and S. Cotten. "Http://www.elsevier.com/copyrightAuthor's Personal Copy." (n.d.): n. pag. The Relationshipbetween Multitasking and Academic Performance. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://blog.reyjunco.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JuncoCottenMultitaskingFBTextCAE2012.pdf>.

6. Katsyri, J., T. Kinnnuen, K. Kusumoto, and P. Oittinen. "Negativity Bias in Media Multitasking: The Effects of Negative SocialMedia Messages on Attention to Television News Broadcasts." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. NationalLibrary of Medicine, 4 May 2016. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27144385>.

7. Matrix, Sidneyeve. "Module 01 Media Convergence." FILM 240 Media and Culture. Queen's University, 12 Sept 2016. Web.20 Oct 2016.

8. Matrix, Sidneyeve. "Module 02 Promotional Media." FILM 240 Media and Culture. Queen's University, 26 Sept 2016. Web.20 Oct 2016.

9. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multitasking>.

10. "Multitasking, Social Media and Distraction: Research Review - Journalist's Resource." Journalists Resource. N.p., 13 Apr.2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/social-media/multitasking-social-media-distraction-what-does-research-say>.

Works Cited Continued11. Neidlinger, Julie. "8 Startling Truths About Multitasking And Productivity." CoSchedule Blog The Horrifying Truth AboutMultitasking And Productivity Comments. N.p., 24 Aug. 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.<http://coschedule.com/blog/multitasking-and-productivity/>.

12. Payne, Elizabeth. "Study Links Poor Teen Mental Health to Social Media Use." Ottawa Citizen. N.p., 08 Aug. 2015. Web. 21Oct. 2016. <http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/study-links-poor-teen-mental-health-to-social-media-use>.

13. Reddy, Sumathi. "Teen Researchers Defend Media Multitasking Doing Homework With Music, Texts, Tweets WorksBetter for Some." N.p., 13 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-researchers-defend-media-multitasking-1413220118>.

14. Rosen, Larry D. "Facebook and Texting Made Me Do It: Media-induced Task-switching While Studying." Facebook andTexting Made Me Do It: Media-induced Task-switching While Studying. Elsevier Ltd., May 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563212003305>.

15. Thompson, Penny. "The Digital Natives as Learners: Technology Use Patterns and Approaches to Learning." The DigitalNatives as Learners: Technology Use Patterns and Approaches to Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2016.<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131513000225>.

"16. Young Children's Initiation into Family Literacy Practices in the Digital Age." Young Children's Initiation into FamilyLiteracy Practices in the Digital Age. N.p., 18 June 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.<http://ecr.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/06/17/1476718X15582095>.

Works Cited (Images)Some photos were my own and therefore are not cited. Additionally, some photos came with the layout of the tool Iused. The photos cited below are creative commons photos I downloaded for the purpose of this project.

1. http://kaboompics.com/one_foto/1668 2. http://kaboompics.com/files/upload/o_1am26c9u8maf1k2c1leo19ld1kf07_new.jpg 3.http://kaboompics.com/files/upload/o_1aom1fjmn17itp6hntjvaud9b7_new.jpg 4.http://kaboompics.com/one_foto/1610 https://picjumbo.com/young-woman-holding-iphone-in-her-right-hand/https://picjumbo.com/download/?d=HNCK1218.jpg&n=night-owl-man-working-on-computer-at-night5. https://picjumbo.com/macbook-pro-at-pink-night/ https://picjumbo.com/ipad-tablet-and-macbook-laptop-workspace-from-above/6. https://picjumbo.com/minimalist-home-office-workspace-desk-setup/7. https://picjumbo.com/man-checking-his-iphone-working-at-home-office/8. https://www.flickr.com/photos/leviphotos/23329879619. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kianasimon/4694976930/in/photolist-89SZ57-cZ7B5h-aubkJ5-6qaYqq-6rKg7L-7h6PeD-9x7TiD-7WkxGP-8956Lg-do9xzR-FqhCfw-9xyxhH-cWHAsb-78sHQS-3nahKh-6Ajj9s-n3iq1-gpCgY6-8299VW-8Nde4K-6CLWkH-dHHDMA-fYbQfA-8dtJiN-68mU5i-5NdrB6-6396rc-aiAH4z-cWSsMA-796nU7-2K5ps6-a1zyFn-45vKwE-4BywjR-9xUKXM-wvbTE-8MwFCp-bUiqPP-7XyMoh-6Rk6YV-aWA24-2aMWRc-qntaBG-9LxpVo-7gw9iE-8ks2ks-7hChU7-b4riTB-ejaNV-bBPPKY10. https://www.flickr.com/photos/practicalcures/23388685185/in/photolist-BCM8fR-nZDRxi-6b3Sxe-qSMRS2-bmhV4K-5jKaXK-cqa4Uw-m9t48-5JVVXA-8VXmdb-49e6Bg-6KWFvv-joYkv-e9SKJx-9mRQcA-4aE5Hu-tB4V8-d6vFkL-5ZyuAy-nXTWyk-4RyTRU-75KbL9-4VWUhd-31kyTi-akkYdq-q49ovj-7Q8wJy-C1ZRGA-dwg7ge-6RjqiR-8UtSz5-d2oDQb-r4twxJ-kdZ8bQ-272cHL-2qaURA-boYQai-aza8u2-4MZ95K-ac4Bm2-nPSjjb-yKtVrH-8NH9JD-pLMeXB-bxvEfg-5P51yh-epVSUN-w1WKp7-4A19ms-ejba8g11. http://www.freeimages.com/photo/stressed-1254396