An University of California (Los Angeles) neuroscientist says technology-associated activities such as Internet searching and text messaging can make your brain more adept at information handling and decision-making.

Dr. Gary Small’s findings — and his associated prognostications about the future of the human brain — are laid out in his new book: iBrain: Surviving the Technological Alteration of the Modern Mind.

“We’re seeing an evolutionary change. The people in the next generation who are really going to have the edge are the ones who master the technological skills and also face-to-face skills,” Small told Reuters news service this week.

However, Small also cautions that, taken to extremes, indulgence in tech pursuits can lead to problems, such as Internet addiction and an increase in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) diagnoses.

“But you can take steps to address this,” Small notes. “It means taking time to cut back on technology, like having a family dinner, to find a balance. It is important to understand how technology is affecting our lives and our brains and take control of it.”