There are hundreds of ways digital technology has enriched our lives, from education to our business. However, technology also affects our brain function negatively. According to recent research, excessive internet use can negatively affect your cognitive function.
You can read more on this article by w-radiology to know more. Here is how technology affects cognitive function, both positively and negatively.
Technology has become a vital part of daily life for many people. It allows people to communicate, undertake business and farm efficiently. However, technological advancements have led to a rise in brain disorders.
These disorders are caused by the constant interaction between humans and technological devices. Technology has major health effects on the human brain. Explaining these effects is crucial if we want to make informed decisions about when, where and how to use technology.
The human brain undergoes constant change to keep up new functions and ideas. This is referred to as neural plasticity. Over time, this leads to an ever-evolving human brain. Naturally, this can be tricky to navigate.
People don’t want their technological devices restricting their mental evolution any more than they want to limit their physical freedom. If anything, increased awareness of how technological advancements impact the brain should lead to more ethical use of these technologies.
Technological advances led to huge leaps in productivity and economic growth. In turn, this led to greater wealth accruing to many countries. However, this growth also came with negative health impacts for the general public.
Industrialized countries tend to have higher rates of technological use than developing ones. This is due to lower levels of economic development that impact health from less developed technological devices. A poorly run country with a low standard of living will have fewer resources for its citizens; this leads to greater health risks for the general public.
Positive Effects Of Technology On Cognitive Function
Improves Decision-Making Skills
Although playing video games has a bad reputation among parents, research shows it improves decision-making and visual skills. Some of these games encourage the players to be more detail-oriented, even in reality.
According to a study by Lowa State University, most first-person shooter games have players make quick decisions based on visual cues. Such gameplay can enhance your visuospatial attention skills and significantly boost decision-making skills.
Encourages Creation
Digital technology also plays a significant role in promoting the creation and sharing of new stuff. The internet, for example, allows people to engage with texts, videos and images more conveniently. Social media also promotes creating and sharing culture, encouraging people to display their work.
It Affects Your Dreams
Did you know that technology has a significant effect on your dreams? People in the 1950s did not have colored dreams; they were black-and-white. According to a Dundee University study, you were more likely to have black-and-white dreams if you were an adult who grew up in a house with a black-and-white television.
Adverse Effects of Technology on Cognitive Function
It Can be a Distraction
One of the adverse effects of technology on your brain function is that it can be a distracting factor. Although most assume multitasking is beneficial, it does more harm than good. A recent study showed multitasking could impede performance and learning. Even sitting next to someone, multitasking can negatively affect how your brain works.
It May Impair Your Memory
Information is more accessible now thanks to the internet. If there is a topic you are unfamiliar with, all you need to do is google it. However, the more you rely on the internet to support and extend your memory, the less likely you will create a memory of it.
It Makes You More Impulsive
The instant gratification delivered by digital media hinders your ability to exercise self-control significantly. You are more likely to experience greater impulsivity and poor memory performance if you are a heavy digital media consumer.
It Hinders Your Ability to Empathize
Researchers found that it becomes more challenging for you to experience deep emotions like empathy when distracted. According to them, you must observe someone’s facial expression, gestures, and language to empathize with them.
Observing all this is challenging if your eyes are always on your phone. A recent study showed that compassionate people spend less time on social media than self-centered individuals.
It Reduces Your Enjoyment of Experiences
Several studies show the more you use your phone, the more you become numb to meaningful human connections. One study revealed that even minor uses of the phone when having a meal with friends could reduce your enjoyment significantly. It would help to keep your phone away from the table to derive more pleasure from face-to-face interactions.
How Can You Lessen the Negative Technology Effects on Your Brain Function?
There are no clinical guidelines on how much you should use the internet, but the topic remains under investigation by numerous researchers. However, here are some ways you can lessen the adverse effects of technology on your brain:
Limit Your Internet Time
It would be best if you reduced the time spent on your computer to promote optimal brain function. You can start by creating a schedule for the specific times to browse the internet during working and non-working hours.
Invest in Family Time
Technology has its way of taking away the time you spend with your family. One practical approach to reducing the adverse effects of technology on cognitive function is engaging yourself with healthy endeavors. Consider physical and socializing activities with your family to boost brain function.
Try Digital Detoxing
The more dependent you are on the internet and your devices, the more they consume your mental energy. You should consider digital detoxing if you find it hard to disconnect from your phone. It can be tricky if you work online, but you can always create a personal tech-free day.
Conclusion
Digital technology has both positive and adverse effects on how your brain functions. This article increases awareness on the topic to help you audit your internet and device use and optimize it to improve cognitive function.
