Mind Games: Technology and the Developing Teenage Brain

Abstract

The brain has regions that react to things that are exciting or rewarding, and regions that help you plan and control your impulses. Both systems work together to help you learn. As children and teens develop and their brains change, the balance between the reward regions and control regions changes. These brain changes make children and teens more willing to explore, take risks, and learn from friends. However, these brain changes also make it hard for kids to regulate their behavior, especially when friends are around or when there is a lot of excitement. Technology can enhance learning by tapping into the balance between reward and control. However, some technological features can also promote unhealthy social interactions or make it very hard to control impulses online. In this article, we show how the control and reward areas of your brain influence learning. We also discuss how understanding how your brain works can help promote positive learning and empower you to make your own decisions about how to spend time online.