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Internet access use 'could reduce mental effects of ageing'

Using internet access regularly could reduce the effects of ageing on the brain, it has been claimed.

Joint managing director of Systems Concepts Tom Stewart states the exercise using the web can have on the brain is able to keep people more alert.

He suggests the biggest psychological effect created by getting older is that people attempt to do less and engage with things more infrequently.

"There's evidence to suggest that continuing use of your brain staves off negative effects of ageing," he states.

He adds: "It's not getting older that stops you from doing things, it's stopping doing things which makes you older."

Mr Stewart suggests using the internet will allow people to increase how frequently they communicate with others, as well as offering reading and research operations which keep the mind stimulated.

He states problem solving and engaging mentally with things is a "certainly plausible" way of reducing some of ageing's negative effects.

A survey conducted by the University of California last month found use of the internet stimulated aspects of the brain which were related to decision making and reasoning.