Multitasking teens may lose focus

Doing several things at once can feel so productive. But scientists say switching rapidly between tasks can actually slow us down. Even though modern technology allows people to perform more tasks at the same time, juggling tasks can make our brains lose connections to important information. Which means, in the end, it takes longer because we have to remind our brains what we were working on.

Zach Weinberg, a junior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, sits in front of his computer in his family home in suburban Maryland. Within the span of seconds, Zach switches between e-mail, iTunes, Facebook, a computer word puzzle game and messaging his buddy online. Somewhere amid the flurry, Zach manages to squeeze in some homework, too.

While he is working on an algebra calculation, an instant message from his buddy Alex Donesky pops up on the screen. They chat about a French assignment for a few minutes, exchanging quips about Robespierre and Napoleon. Then Zach shifts his attention back to math, but not before changing to his favorite band on iTunes.

For the record, Alex and Zach are good students. And obviously they're good multitaskers, too. Alex's mom, Barbara Donesky, says she'safraid Alex is losing out on other skills. "I want him to be able to concentrate. I want him to be able to focus," she says. Scientists say she has reason to be worried—although there's not much data yet on teens. Read more at NPR online.