Google does a brain good

“The bottom line is, when older people read a simulated book page, we see areas of the brain activated that you’d expect, the visual cortex, and areas that control language and reading,” he said. “When they search on the Internet, they use the same areas, but there was much greater activation particularly in the front part, which controls decision-making and complex reasoning. But it was only for the people who had previous experience with the Internet.”
This study seems full of weaknesses - which might be due to the lack of information provided in the article. For example, the study looks at how people from two groups (one with technology experience and one without) experience online search. Those with experience have, as quoted above, greater activation in the region of the brain that governs decision-making. Well, that’s nice. But what does that actually tell us? To me, it seems to indicate that experience with something results in greater activation of areas of the brain that are involved in the process. Would we have seen similar results if we were evaluating brain activation in amateur vs. experienced chess players? Can’t say I quite follow the leap to Google and online searching being good for our brains. I’m sure many educators (parents) wish it to be true: “Look, little Johnny is searching on Google. He’s getting to be so smart”.