How The Internet is CHANGING Your Brain

Just imagine what life would be like without the internet. Some of us still remember the time before everything was connected, but the thought of living without smartphones, maps, and search engines at our fingertips now seems completely alien to us. However, it is essential to ponder how our increasing reliance on the online world is affecting our relationships, sources of information, and the way we interact with each other. These rapid changes are even noticeable within our brains.

With more and more devices relying on the internet, it's no surprise that worldwide access is continually increasing. In 2016, an estimated 3.5 billion people across the world accessed online services, with China, India, and the US leading the way in terms of users. English remains the most common language used online, followed by Chinese and Spanish.

The reliance on the internet varies across generations, mainly depending on those who had to adapt to the new technology and those who grew up with it being readily accessible. Generation X Internet users, born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, logged an average of a hundred and ten minutes of mobile internet usage each day, while Millennials, born from the early 80s onward, averaged a hundred and eighty-five minutes per day.

Social media and messaging apps have become crucial to how we live our lives and communicate, with billions of people regularly using apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. Consequently, phone calls and text messages are declining in popularity, and online shopping has caused a sharp decline in the use of traditional high street stores.

As we immerse ourselves in this interconnected world, it's affecting our brains too. The constant distractions from the internet have been found to make Millennials more forgetful than previous generations. Memory requires repeated exposure to information, which is becoming difficult due to the constant influx of new data. Moreover, the knowledge that information is readily available online makes us less likely to form long-term memories of it.

Our smartphones have also made us more addicted to constant distractions, affecting our ability to transition into deeper modes of thinking. The constant flow of information has led to a loss of cognitive control, making it challenging to determine what's truly important to focus on. We find ourselves more concerned with consuming new information rather than what is genuinely significant.

Despite these challenges, it's not necessarily a bad thing that technology is affecting our brains. Throughout history, inventions have always allowed us to focus less on one thing, freeing up time for other activities. However, it's essential to be mindful of our screen time and consider unplugging occasionally to keep our brains more active and malleable.

In conclusion, the internet has undeniably revolutionized the way we live, think, and interact with each other. While it offers numerous benefits, we must be conscious of its effects on our brains and ensure a healthy balance between online and offline life. Tracking our screen time and taking periodic breaks can help us stay mentally agile and connected to the world around us. So, remember to unplug every once in a while and embrace the power of technology while being mindful of its influence on our lives.