The Shocking Effects of Internet Dependence on Our Brains

It is hard to imagine life without the internet. From smartphones to search engines, everything we need is available to us within seconds. Our increasing reliance on the online world has changed the way we interact with each other, our relationships, and the sources of information. With more and more devices relying on the internet, worldwide access is continually increasing. But how is this affecting our brains and behavior?

Studies show that our behavior is changing with the increasing use of Internet services. Communication through social media platforms and messaging apps has become crucial to how we live our lives. Phone calls and text messages are dropping in popularity, and the use of online shopping and services has caused a sharp decline in the use of traditional high street stores. Our towns and cities are starting to look very different than they did a few decades ago, and this can all be attributed to what's now available online.

However, our reliance on the internet is clearly changing across generations, mainly depending on those who had to adapt to the new technology or those who grew up with it being readily accessible. Generation X Internet users logged an average of 110 minutes of mobile internet usage each day, while Millennials, who grew up with the internet, logged an average of 185 minutes per day. This suggests that our behavior is evolving with the prevalence of the internet.

The prevalence of the internet is also changing the way our brains work. Millennials, for example, have been found to be far more forgetful than previous generations. This is thought to be a direct result of the constant distractions that connectivity brings. The basic principle behind memory is that the more a piece of information is repeated and thought about in your short-term memory, the stronger it's stored within your long-term memory. Constant new information, however, prevents this process from taking place as effectively, and far less is permanently stored.

Further to this, the knowledge that information is readily available online means that you're less likely to form a memory of it. While previous generations would have memorized directions on a map, for example, now there's a reliance on being able to access this GPS app on your phone. We're also becoming more addicted to our smartphones. Constant glances to check for messages or updates means that we're becoming more and more used to developing a habit of being distracted. Our brains are less used to transitioning into deeper modes of thinking, which makes it more difficult to do this when we need to.

Some research has also shown that the constant flow of information has meant that we are losing cognitive control. This means not only is our ability to control our minds reducing, but also our ability to decide what we're thinking about. The more you rely on your phone and an app to provide information to you, the less you are able to determine what's important to focus on. We are increasingly more concerned with information that's new as opposed to what's actually important.

Although technology is clearly affecting the way our brains work, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Throughout history, inventions have always enabled us to focus less on one thing so our time can be used somewhere else. Washing machines, for example, means that people spend far less time on cleaning clothes, so these extra hours each day are taken up by work or other activities. Similarly, the ability to communicate and find information much faster on the internet means that we have extra mental capacity for other processes.

Reducing our screen time can help keep our brains more active and malleable, and it's a good idea to be aware of how much time we're spending on distractions each day. Keeping track of our screen time and unplugging from technology every once in a while can help us develop healthier habits. We can also take steps to exercise our brains and memory through activities like reading books or engaging in creative pursuits.

In conclusion, the prevalence of the internet and our increasing reliance on it is changing the way we interact with each other, process information, and even think. While there are concerns about the negative effects on our brains, it's important to remember that technology has always enabled us to focus less on one thing so we can use our time elsewhere. It's up to us to find a healthy balance between our use of technology and other aspects of our lives. By being mindful of how much time we spend on our devices and consciously unplugging from time to time, we can help keep our brains active and flexible. With careful consideration and moderation, we can make the most of the benefits that the internet and technology have to offer while minimizing the negative effects on our well-being.