In an increasingly digital world, we should be mindful of how much of an impact staring at a screen really has on our brain.
Contrary to popular belief, dementia isn’t a disease in itself but rather a term used to refer to a cognitive decline that impacts everything from our speech to our memory recall.
In severe cases, dementia can interfere with our perception of reality, causing hallucinations and difficulty understanding time.
When, then, do people mean when they talk about ‘digital dementia’? Carry on reading to find out…
What is digital dementia?
Coined by German neuroscientist and psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer in 2012, ‘digital dementia’ describes changes in the brain caused by excess technology consumption.
So while digital dementia isn’t a ‘real’ medical condition, research has shown that there is very much a link between too much screen time and dementia-like cognitive damage.
In fact, one study found that just 4 hours of screen time a day can increase your risk of developing dementia.
Symptoms
Been staring at your phone a lot recently? Here are some telltale signs that it’s time to knock it on the head…
Short-term memory loss
Forgetfulness
Inability to multitask
Changes to sleeping pattern
Preventing digital dementia
Stop doom scrolling: Doom scrolling is when you passively scroll through social media without a real purpose. We’re all guilty of it. Next time you’re bored and tempted to pick up your phone, try reaching for a book instead or call a friend rather than finding out what they’ve been up to via their Instagram story!
Set app limits: Did you know that you can set time limits for how long you spend on certain apps? If you’re an iPhone user, go into your ‘Screen Time’ in settings and click on ‘App Limits’.
Turn off your notifications: Even if it’s just for an hour, turning off the notifications on your phone will stop you from checking it as frequently.
Hide your phone: Want to go one step further? Try hiding your phone in a different room. Out of sight, out of mind really does work. This is especially effective if you’re trying to work or focus on something without any distractions.
Go outside: Enjoy the sunshine on your skin (if you’re reading this in UK winter, I can only apologise), breathe in the fresh air and move those legs. Not only will going outside help boost your mood but it can also decrease your risk of developing dementia.
Spend time with your friends (offline!): Get those plans out of the group chat and into the real world! Whether it’s a coffee date, a gym session or a dinner party (no phones at the table!), get together with your nearest and dearest in a realm not controlled by Meta…
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