How the Internet is changing your brain

Imagine a life without the internet. Some of us can remember a time before everything was interconnected. However, the idea of living without smartphones, instant access to maps, and search engines at our fingertips now seems completely foreign. Our increasing reliance on the online world is changing the way we interact, affecting our relationships, sources of information, and even our brains.

As more devices depend on the internet, global access continues to grow. In 2016, approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide accessed online services. The top three countries in terms of internet users were China, with 721 million users, followed by India and the US with 290 million users. English is the most commonly used language online, followed by Chinese and Spanish. The dependence on the internet varies across generations, mainly based on those who had to adapt to the technology and those who grew up with it readily available.

Generation X internet users, born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s, spend an average of 110 minutes per day using mobile internet. Millennials, born from the early 1980s onward and growing up with the internet, spend an average of 185 minutes per day. Social media and messaging apps have become crucial in our lives, with over a billion people regularly using apps like WhatsApp, and even more using platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. This increasing internet usage has led to changes in communication patterns, with phone calls and text messages becoming less popular, and online shopping causing a decline in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

Our brains are also being affected by this digital shift. With vast amounts of information at our fingertips, the prevalence of the internet is changing the way we work and think. Millennials, for example, have been found to be more forgetful than previous generations due to constant distractions brought by connectivity. Memory is reinforced when information is repeatedly thought about and stored in our long-term memory. However, constant exposure to new information hampers this process, resulting in less information being permanently stored. Additionally, the knowledge that information is readily available online reduces the need to form memories of it. For example, instead of memorizing directions on a map, people rely on GPS apps on their phones.

Furthermore, our increasing addiction to smartphones has made us more prone to distraction. Constantly checking for messages and updates has ingrained a habit of being easily distracted. Consequently, our brains struggle to transition into deeper modes of thinking when necessary. Research has also shown that the constant flow of information has led to a loss of cognitive control. This means we have reduced ability to control our thoughts and prioritize important information. We have become more focused on new information rather than what truly matters.

While technology's impact on our brains is not necessarily negative, reducing screen time can help keep our brains active and adaptable. It is essential to be aware of how much time we spend on distractions each day. Tracking our screen time and unplugging occasionally can be beneficial.

In summary, life without the internet would be unimaginable for many of us today. However, our increasing reliance on the online world has consequences for our relationships, information sources, and brain functions. It is important to find a balance between the advantages of technology and maintaining healthy mental habits.