Multi-tasking bad for tweens’ social skills

Tweenage girls may be adept at electronic multitasking but it could put their social skills at risk, a new study has found.

Stanford University conducted surveys on 3,461 girls, ages 8 to 12, and found that as their time spent using electronic devices, watching video and using social networks increased, they reported more negative experiences, including lower social success and less sleep.

Researchers said the answer may be in the importance of more face-to-face communication. These interactions allow tweens the opportunity to learn the importance of emotional communication via facial and vocal expression.