Professor Susan Greenfield is a neuroscientist at Lincoln College, Oxford, England, who specialises in “synaptic pharmacology” — an expert on Alzheimer’s disease and similar brain diseases.

Her work makes her aware of the “plasticity” of the human brain.

Every moment, what we do with our brain modifies its architecture, leaving it not quite the same brain as it was before.

A study on London taxi-drivers — who constantly commit to memory numerous street names and routes — confirms physical enlarging of the part of the brain devoted to memory.

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What results when young people spend hours with their brains focussed on computer screens?
Prof Greenfield says that sites like Facebook and MySpace re-wire children’s brains, leaving them ill-equipped to cope with real-world commitments, hardships, struggles, suffering etc. – and dependent on superficial fake-relationships.

Today’s celebrities — and fans of today’s celebrities — perform as though their brains have been filleted of any aptitude except passive ego-massaging.

This may explain the current trendiness of Buddhism. Young computer-game freaks (and their television-watcher parents) like the feelings associated with “spirituality” without the moral demands of true religion.

It’s an eye-opener to read the book “The Unexpected Way” by Professor Paul Williams, ex-lapsed Protestant Christian who became a Buddhist convert and academic — but is now a convinced Roman Catholic:

“For me, faith is not some strange sort of inner feeling. That view of faith is perhaps a Protestant notion . . . faith (is) primarily an act of will.”

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So, what to do?

Set time limits on the time your child spends in front of the computer. Perhaps no time. Perhaps small numbers of hours per week. Use common sense.

Remind your child that God has put inside his head a computer more powerful than any electronic substitute that today’s world can turn on.

Set for yourself, also, restrictions on how long — if at all — you sit looking at screens.

Take your child outside. Join him in observing the real world, in which one can go for walks, meet real people, play sport etc.

Start helping him to pray. Take him to the church and spend time with Our Lord before the altar.