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Digital Dementia

The term ‘digital dementia’ was first referenced by Manfred Spitzer in 2012 in his book by the same name. His theory is that overuse of digital technology is causing a breakdown of cognitive abilities and short-term memory. Since the internet and smartphones are relatively new additions to our lives, there is limited research detailing all of the possible long-term effects overuse might have. However, worldwide, there is an increasing amount of people coming forward with internet addictions, and research has already shown a link between smartphone addiction and depression. Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets come with a wide variety of features and benefits. The consistent use—and dependence—on those mobile devices may also come with some negative consequences, though. Reliance on devices can lead to issues with memory and cognitive skills. Doctors have reported a surge in cases of ‘digital dementia’ among young people. They say that teenagers have become so reliant on digital technology they are no longer able to remember everyday details such as their phone numbers.

South Korean experts have found that those who rely more on technology suffer a deterioration in cognitive abilities more commonly seen in patients who have suffered a head injury or psychiatric illness. The Korean findings come after a study, carried out by UCLA, found that young people were increasingly suffering from memory problems. The research found that 14 per cent of young men and women between aged 18 and 39 complained that their memory was poor. The U.S. study blamed modern lifestyles for the problem - saying that spending time on a computer and texting prevents people focussing and memorising information. They also blamed stress, saying hectic lifestyles prevent concentration information retention. What Manfred Spitzer proposes is a new kind of problem, and one far more damaging to our brains than we first thought. He believes that reliance on the internet for answers to common problems, or to find and save information, causes a brain imbalance.

The left side of the brain focuses on rational and linear skills such as fact finding, which is actually developed more though internet use. The right side of the brain, however, is the side that suffers. It accounts for memory, concentration and attention span, as well as intuition and emotional response. Because of the way the websites we constantly interact with are designed (to keep us engaged while bombarding us with distractions in small snippets), the right side of the brain gets underused and does not develop equally. This could lead to as many as 15% of internet-addicted people developing early onset dementia.