Technology has positively impacted many aspects of our lives, but its overuse has its ill effects. Can overuse of technology lead to digital dementia? We will discuss this topic in our article today.
Contents
The introduction of technology has undeniably altered the nature of modern society. Although electronic gadgets were previously uncommon, it now feels hard to get by the day without reaching for one. As digital technology has progressed, people have developed habits and lives that are wholly reliant on it.
We’ve been struggling with the scourge of technology since its inception. Even though it has rendered our lives easier, technology has contributed to an unhealthy way of life. Technology has the biggest influence on child behavior, health, and brain development.
Children who spend most of their time on digital gadgets like smartphones, iPads, and computers appear to be slipping behind in their development of cognitive skills. This concerning issue has been dubbed as “Digital Dementia.”
You might like to read: Speaking Two Languages Can Delay Dementia
Digital Dementia: What Is It?
Digital dementia was initially defined in 2012 by German scientist Manfred Spitzer, who wrote about the issue in his book. He compares the symptoms to head traumas or psychiatric diseases.
He says it’s a concerning new trend in how excess use of digital technology is culminating in the loss of cognitive capabilities. Digital media, according to Spitzer, has a substantial negative influence on our Mental health and may have a significant impact on our everyday life.
What Are the Symptoms of Digital Dementia?
Early signs of digital dementia include a decline in mental function, such as memory, concentration, and attention span. Individuals may have difficulty remembering patterns of numbers, directions, or even the names of people.
Aside from that, it can cause stress, frustration, and despair. Individuals’ growth is significantly impacted as a consequence.
Some may have postural abnormalities, such as a bent forward head position. The head is gradually slumped forward because they have been gazing at their mobile devices for long periods.
According to Dr. Lee, “At first, these symptoms appear to be trivial but can become considerably more problematic as individuals age.” Mental degeneration, including a lack of desire, coordination, and social inclusion, can occur due to the condition’s progression.
You might like to read: Do You Need Vitamin Supplements With Age?
Is Overuse of Technology Really Leading to Digital Dementia?
There is a belief that rational cognition, fact-finding and numerical computation are all done on the left side of the brain, whereas creative thinking and emotional thinking are done on the right side of the brain. Having an underdeveloped right side of the brain might lead to an early onset of dementia.
Contemporary technology can cause you to restrict the amount of knowledge you can remember, which will inhibit the growth of the right side of your brain.
Mental deficiencies such as lack of attention, a short attention span, and unhappiness are all caused by the fact that your imaginative and creative thinking is located in this area.
As an illustration, there was a period when people could learn things very quickly. When it comes to things like phone numbers, many individuals have a hard time remembering them because they are all recorded on their smartphones.
Memorizing numbers used to be a common skill. Having pleasure while studying was always a priority for youngsters. Now all you have to do is dependent on technology to help you remember it.
As a result, it is clear that using a smartphone or a computer interferes with one’s ability to focus and retain information. We’ve gotten so reliant on technology that we’re not even conscious of it anymore. And it’s wreaking havoc on our minds.
A dominant flexor posture, in which your head and shoulder are slumping forward in a C-shape, is another problem, according to the American Posture Institute. Brain blood flow and oxygen supply are both restricted in this position and contribute to the characteristics of digital dementia. This posture can also lead to long-term cerebral impairment.
How To Prevent and Overcome Digital Dementia?
There are things you may do to lessen your chances of developing digital dementia. Here are a few helpful tidbits:
Using your brain is the best way to get things done
What is Spain’s capital city? Picking up our phones and Googling the answer has become our go-to response. If we want to avoid Digital Dementia, we need to reject this new, natural instinct and start utilizing our brains or just ask the next person sitting next to us. Sit calmly and wait for the solution to come to you the next time you’re stumped on a question.
You might like to read: Health Benefits of Omega 3 for Seniors
Take a pause
Avoid using technology during the day and refrain from looking at your mobile frequently. Take a pause from all things digital for a while. You may spend time with your loved ones and catch up with old acquaintances. Real-life interaction with colleagues rather than social media is the best way to build relationships.
Organise your thoughts in advance
You all probably know how important it is to prepare ahead. Determine in advance whether or not your laptop or e-mails will need your presence at the event. When the time comes, know exactly what to deal with all of your items. There are several ways to minimize distractions and maximize productivity. A good strategy should allow us to spend less time staring at screens and more time engaging in face-to-face interactions.
Exercise
To keep your muscles flexible, perform some extension exercises regularly. Tip your head back and lift your arms in the air over your head. Lay on your stomach and do a few back extensions.
You should complete 5-10 repetitions a couple of times each day. We do this naturally when we awaken because it activates the nerve system. This will help to offset our forward, flexed posture.
You might like to read: Best Medical Alert System For Alzheimer’s And Dementia Patients: Top 6 Picks
Limit your time on the internet and screen
The suggested amount of time for people to spend on any form of the screen is 2 hrs per day, but as adults, we inevitably need to be considerably more technologically engaged than this.
When your kids are in bed, plan a couple of hours each day where you’ll switch off your phone, computer, and laptop.
Take a stroll, read a book, or lay out your day’s schedule. Allow your eyes, and more crucially, your brain, to rest. Nobody anticipates you to be responding to emails after 9 p.m.
Wrap Up
Thanks to modern technology, the brain, like muscle memory, also cease to function if it is not put to use. As a result, concerns like Digital Dementia and impaired cognitive abilities in children and adults must be addressed quickly.
Even though modern society is heavily reliant on technology, Digital Dementia is certainly a major issue that we need to address. Because technology has become such an essential part of our lives, it is impossible for us to avoid it fully. We can, however, take steps to prevent or reverse Digital Dementia.
Please feel free to provide any information that we may have overlooked or that you would want to have added to this guide. Please share it with others and mention us on your social networking platforms if you like the material. It may help others who are suffering from this technology overuse syndrome.
