Technology is not an event. It’s just part of everyday learning. It has both positive and negative impacts. The current generation is obsessed with technology, which has both inspired them to discover new talents and made them dependent on it. In recent times, the trend toward using smartphones and wearable devices has increased. It has become a part of people’s lives like food and shelter.
According to Apurva Chandra, secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India has more than 1.2 billion mobile phone users and 600 million smartphone users. Indians use their phones for 7.3 hours per day, more than Americans and Chinese do.
Exposure to screens is bad when there is too much of it. South Korea, which has one of the largest populations of digital users in the world, is where the phrase “digital dementia” first appeared a few years ago. Doctors in South Korea have observed that young patients who have used digital devices frequently have cognitive and memory issues. Additionally, they discovered that people with prior brain injuries had a higher prevalence of the symptoms.
Manfred Spitzer, a neuroscientist, coined the term “digital dementia” in his 2012 book, “Digital Dementia: What We and Our Children Are Doing to Our Minds,” to describe how excessive use of digital devices could impair cognitive function. He suggested that, because of the overuse of technology, short-term memory may start to deteriorate from underuse. Globally, psychiatric professionals have noted that excessive use of smartphones and other Internet-connected devices can significantly impair attention, shorten memory spans, and hasten the onset of early-onset dementia.
Dementia only affects people as they get older, whereas children with developing brains can also develop digital dementia.
Spitzer contends in his research that if we use technology excessively, our short-term memory pathways will begin to deteriorate. Heavy users are more likely to overdevelop their left side of the brain, leaving their right side underdeveloped, which over time can result in dementia. According to Spitzer’s research, the minimum age for media consumption should be between 15 and 18.
Symptoms of Digital Dementia in Adults
1. Slouched posture
2. Short-term memory loss
3. Developmental delays
4. Social seclusion
5. Lack of moment
6. Anxiety
7. Depression
8. Anger
9. Balance disorders
10. Uncoordinated movement patterns
Symptoms of Digital Dementia in Children
1. Developmental delays
2. Flexor dominant posture
3. Inability to remember numbers, patterns, or directions.
4. Social seclusion
5. Anxiety
6. Depression
7. Lack of motivation
8. Forgetfulness
9. Anger for no apparent reason
10. Uncoordinated movement patterns
Also Read How To Maintain A Positive Head?
5 Tips to Prevent Digital Dementia
Reduce Screen Time
For some, 3–4 hours of screen time is more than enough, while for others, even 6–10 hours is not too much. Most experts agree that adults should limit their daily screen time to under two hours. Too much screen time can not only weaken your eyesight but also impact your mental health.
Improving Your Posture
It is important to at least improve your posture while interacting with technology. Take breaks and stretch your body to relax your muscles. Sitting in one position can make your body stiff and impact your posture.
Participate in Play
Children and young people who play have better cognitive, physical, social, and emotional health. Play helps people to stay active and healthy. Exercise regularly to keep your brain active and healthy.
Train Your Brain
Train your brain by playing puzzles, quizzes, crosswords, sudoku, and board games so that it’s active. Painting and playing a musical instrument are also great for building and maintaining cognitive skills.
Interact in Real Life
Instead of playing computer games or chatting online, spend time with people in real life. To promote interaction, people should get active, play outside, read, engage in hobbies, and use non-digital media like books, board games, and newspapers; TVs should be off during meals.
Negative Effects of Technology on Mental Health
Increased Social Isolation
Excessive use of social media makes people three times more likely to be socially isolated, and 73% of heavy social media users report feeling lonely. People stop interacting in real life and use social media instead.
Sleep Problems
The use of a bright screen repetitively for 5 days can delay circadian rhythms by 1.5 hours, causing poor sleep patterns and contributing to depression.
Also Read 19 Negative Effects of Technology On Mental Health
Addiction
We work more efficiently now because of the internet, which has also benefited us in countless other ways. But many people have also developed addictions at the same time.
Depression and anxiety
People who feel they have more unfavorable online interactions and who are more likely to compare themselves to others have higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Conclusion
We are more susceptible to digital dementia because of technology. The only distinction between dementia and digital dementia is that the former only affects the elderly, whereas the latter can also strike young people with developing brains. It is crucial to take a break from the screen during this time.
