Technology is gradually changing the way we live, learn, and work. However, it has also been shown to alter our ability to concentrate, and in some cases, it can weaken brain function. Below are five key points you need to know about how technology affects the brain, so you can make reasonable adjustments.
1. Information Overload Makes It Hard to Retain Information
Erik Fransén, a computer science professor at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden, states that frequent use of the Internet can make it difficult for you to store information in your memory. According to Tony Schwartz, author of the book “The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working,” most of us cannot effectively manage the information overload we continuously encounter.
2. Information Overload Leads to a Narrow Perspective
John Edward Huth, a physics professor at Harvard Medical School in the U.S., notes that the Internet (and its vast amount of information) can affect our perception more than we realize. He suggests that excessive reliance on technology leads us to isolate pieces of information without integrating them into a broader cognitive context.
In one experiment, researchers showed two groups of volunteers a picture of a man, telling one group that his name was Baker, while informing the other group that he was a baker. Later, when presenting the image again and asking both groups to recall related terms, the researchers found that the group that knew the man’s profession recalled more information. The reason is that thinking about a baker evokes related imagery (such as aprons, ovens, bread), while the name Baker exists in isolation without other contextual associations.
Without proper adjustments, technology can erode brain function. (Image: huffingtonpost.com)
3. The Internet Becomes the Brain’s “External Hard Drive”
Research has found that when we know a certain tool or digital device can help store information, we tend to rely on it instead of remembering it ourselves. A recent article from American Science likened the Internet to an “external hard drive” for the brain, as the task of storing social knowledge has now been entrusted to new digital tools.
Experts argue that memory is a social process; we remember things and share them with others, and vice versa. However, the Internet is currently taking on that role. “The Internet changes everything. With access to the network almost everywhere, many people choose to search for information on their smartphones rather than asking friends,” the article states.
4. Technology Causes Distractions, Making Memory Formation Difficult
Concentration is key to forming lasting memories. When you watch a movie while texting or browsing the web, you may not remember many details when a friend asks about the film days later. “When we lack focus, the memories we form are uncertain, making it difficult to recall information later,” says Zaldy S. Tan from the Deacons Medical Center in Israel.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered last year a neural pathway that helps the brain create long-term memories, which operates more effectively when the brain actively focuses on what we’re looking at. Numerous studies also indicate that when students multitask while doing assignments, they understand and recall very little information.
5. Technology Reduces Memory in Young People
Recent data shows that what is termed the “senior moment” is becoming increasingly common among younger individuals. The reason is their excessive dependence on technology. A survey in the U.S. found that younger people (ages 18-34) forget things more easily than middle-aged individuals (around 55 years old). For instance, they may forget dates, misplace their keys, and even forget to shower more often than seniors. Experts suggest that increased mental stress may be a contributing factor to these memory issues. “Stress often leads to forgetfulness, depression, and poor judgment. We’ve noticed a rising incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among young people. This may be due to their frequent exposure to technology and lack of sleep, leading to forgetfulness,” says therapist Patricia Gutentag.
