How being constantly connected is hurting our productivity

Humans now have a lower attention span than goldfish, according to new research. A study by technology giant Microsoft has found that we stay focused for a mere eight seconds – goldfish can manage nine – before we are distracted by phone calls, social media alerts or the news feed on our computers. Multitasking might give us an instant hit of gratification and make us seem more efficient, but it is having a detrimental effect on our productivity at work and our private lives.

So what are our devices doing to our brains – and how can we improve our concentration?

Throughout history, inventors have created devices without thinking closely about how people would actually use them, says Dr David Rock, author of Your Brain At Work.

“The car is an example. There were no road regulations or speed limits when people began getting behind the wheel, and life on the road was crazy until we set up rules that took human nature into account,” he says.

Today’s technology makes no allowance for how easily distracted we are, particularly by matters of a social nature, he says.

“We’re not respecting the processing limits of the brain,” says Rock, who believes we are suffering from “an epidemic of overwhelm”. “It’s a bit like the car. We can drive at 150mph but should we? We can process ridiculous amounts of information in a day but should we?” There are no rules governing the use of technology so it is up to us to self-regulate.