Effect of the Internet on Your Brain

The Internet has revolutionized the way we live our lives, from the way we communicate with each other to how we consume information and shop. It's hard to imagine a world without the convenience and accessibility that the Internet provides, but as our reliance on technology grows, so do the effects on our brains. The prevalence of the Internet is changing the way we work, think, and interact with each other, and it's important to understand the impact it's having on us.

In 2016, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide had access to online services, and this number continues to grow. The top three countries with the most internet users were China, India, and the United States, with the most commonly used language online being English, followed by Chinese and Spanish. The use of the Internet is changing across generations, with younger generations being more reliant on it than older ones. Millennials, who grew up with the Internet, log an average of 185 minutes of mobile internet usage each day, compared to Generation X, who log an average of 110 minutes.

Social media and messaging apps have become an integral part of how we communicate, with over a billion people regularly using apps like WhatsApp and even more using platforms like Facebook and Twitter. As a result, phone calls and text messages are dropping in popularity. Online shopping and services have also caused a sharp decline in the use of traditional high street stores, which is changing the way our towns and cities look.

The prevalence of the Internet is changing the way we process information and think. Millennials, in particular, have been found to be more forgetful than previous generations, which is thought to be a direct result of the constant distractions that connectivity brings. The more a piece of information is repeated and thought about in your short-term memory, the stronger its stored within your long-term memory. However, constant exposure to new information prevents this process from taking place effectively, leading to less information being permanently stored. In addition, the knowledge that information is readily available online means that we're less likely to form a memory of it. Whereas previous generations would have memorized directions on a map, for example, there's now a reliance on being able to access a GPS app on your phone.

We're also becoming more addicted to our smartphones, constantly checking for messages and updates. This constant distraction means that our brains are less used to transitioning into deeper modes of thinking, making it more difficult to do so when we need to. Some research has also shown that the constant flow of information has meant that we're losing cognitive control. Our ability to control our minds is reducing, as is our ability to decide what we're thinking about. The more we rely on our phone and apps to provide information to us, the less able we are to determine what's important to focus on. We're increasingly more concerned with information that's new, as opposed to what's actually important.

While technology is clearly affecting the way our brains work, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Throughout history