A new study indicates that older adults who frequently use digital devices, like smartphones and computers, are less likely to experience cognitive impairment. An analysis of over 57 studies with more than 400,000 participants revealed a significant link between regular tech use and a 42% reduction in cognitive decline risk. This finding contradicts the notion of digital dementia, suggesting that technology can positively influence cognitive health. While 90% of seniors are now online, experts caution against excessive mindless scrolling, emphasizing the need for balanced engagement with technology.
"For the first generation that was exposed to digital tools, their use is associated with better cognitive functioning," Dr. Jared Benge, a clinical neuropsychologist in UT Health Austin's Comprehensive Memory Center, told The Guardian.
"This is a more hopeful message than one might expect given concerns about brain rot, brain drain and digital dementia," he continued.
"Our findings are not a blanket endorsement of mindless scrolling," Benge told CNN. "They are instead a hint that the generation that gave us the internet has found ways to get some net positive benefits from these tools to the brain."
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