Facebook improves memory

A new study links Facebook to memory improvement in the elderly.

Social Daily News reports that a psychology grad student Janelle Wohltmann, who studies at the University of Arizona, divided 42 seniors into three groups. The first group was required to use Facebook. The second group was given a different online journal to use, and the third group, the control, awaited Facebook use.

The Atlantic shares that Wholtmann monitored the adult groups, ranging in ages from 68 to 91 while the new Facebook users posted updates at least once a day and friended only those people within their focus group.

Before the participants joined Facebook, they were tested for social variables and cognitive ability. After eight weeks, Wohltmann tested them again.

Those who spent their two months working on Facebook had a 25 percent memory improvement, were able to focus easier, and attained greater recognition ability.

The other groups, those awaiting Facebook use and those working on another online journal, showed no improvement in memory.

It should be noted this is an early test in ongoing research, but the first findings suggest Facebook improves memory.

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