Researchers claim heavy net users may lose the ability to read books or watch plays as they get so used to short bursts of information, such as texts or tweets.

Some say the vast number of instant communications pouring in could damage an area of the brain called the pre-frontal cortex.

Prof John Sweller, of Australia’s University of New South Wales, said: “The amount of information we receive may exceed the limits so Divided Attention Disorder causes memory problems.”