"infomania" can reduce ones IQ by ten points, Report.

The noticeable drop in IQ is attributed to the constant distraction of "always on" technology, when employees should be concentrating on what they are paid to do. They lose concentration as their minds remain fixed in an almost permanent state of readiness to react to technology instead of focusing on the task at hand.

The brain also finds it hard to cope with juggling lots of tasks at once, reducing its overall effectiveness, the study has found. And while modern technology can have huge benefits, excessive use can be damaging not only to a person's mind, but also their social life.

Eighty volunteers took part in clinical trials on IQ deterioration and 1100 adults were interviewed.
Source

While i can see this drop in IQ happening spasmodically in a stressful work situation, i think if that person took a holiday and 'chilled out', and then did a controlled IQ test i reckon the results would be almost the same as the 'pre drop' IQ score. (provided that was known)

As for using the 'net for education, leisure, i would assume it could increase ones IQ .
Of course, it depends on what sites you frequent.

Sanc'.

This doesn't really make sense to me. Are they talking about a true IQ or current level of performance/functioning? Big difference ... or at least in the U.S. there is a big difference.

Personally, I do MUCH better when I'm multi-tasking than when I'm focused on just one task. If I have one task to do and have no distractions it will take me three times longer to do it than if I had a bunch of distractions. I'm one of those people that works significantly better under pressure and am almost paralyzed if there isn't constant chaos. I have a pretty high IQ, can't remember the exact number but it qualified me for the gifted program when I was in school. I also have ADHD so maybe that's why I do better with a lot of chaos around me ... if the chaos isn't there and I don't have external distractions I create my own internal ones.

Very interesting article even though the results don't seem to apply to me. I would guess that they DO apply to my husband who literally CANNOT walk and chew gum!

Jemison

Hi Jemison.
I agree that these 'tests' don't really come to anything conclusive. I'd like to see a controlled IQ test of say 20,000 people from every stratum of life on Earth (age would an issue), but the results could be interesting. Everyone from a Tibetan monk to 'your average joe/jane' to an insurgent and everyone in between.

Sanc'.

I also find it harder to concentrate on just one thing at a time. I can only work really well when I'm doing more than one thing and listening to music. Different people need different things to work well. I'd also like to see a huge survey take place....if thats happened has anyone got info?