Older people who use smartphones ‘have lower rates of cognitive decline.’

Fears that smartphones, tablets, and other devices could drive dementia in later life have been challenged by research that found lower rates of cognitive decline in older people who used the technology.

An analysis of published studies that looked at technology use and mental skills in more than 400,000 older adults found that over-50s who routinely used digital devices had lower rates of cognitive decline than those who used them less.

It is unclear whether the technology staves off mental decline or whether people with better cognitive skills simply use them more, but the scientists say the findings question the claim that screen time drives what has been called “digital dementia.”

“For the first generation that was exposed to digital tools, their use is associated with better cognitive functioning,” said Dr. Jared Benge, a clinical neuropsychologist in UT Health Austin’s Comprehensive Memory Center. “This is a more hopeful message than one might expect given concerns about brain rot, brain drain, and digital dementia.”

Benge and his colleague Dr. Michael Scullin, a cognitive neuroscientist at Baylor University in Texas, analyzed 57 published studies that examined the use of digital technology in 411,430 adults around the world. Everyone had a cognitive test or diagnosis, with an average age of 69. The scientists found no evidence for the digital dementia hypothesis, which suggests that a lifetime of using digital technology drives mental decline. Instead, they discovered a link between a lower risk of cognitive impairment and using a computer, smartphone, the internet, or a combination of these methods. The details have been published in Nature Human Behaviour.

The findings need to be explained in more detail, but the researchers believe there is a relationship between the two. In this scenario, people with better thinking skills are more likely to use digital devices, but there are also cognitive benefits to be had from embracing the technology.

“We think the three Cs might be important: complexity, connection, and compensatory behaviors,” Benge told the Guardian. Digital tools could help people engage in complex activities and boost their social connections, both of which appeared to be good for the aging brain, he said. He added that the technology also made it easier for people to cope with cognitive decline and function, such as by using GPS to find their way or setting reminders to pay bills or take medications.

Writing in the journal, the authors suggested the pros and cons of smartphones and other devices on the aging brain depended on how they were used. Scullin stated, "It is not likely to be beneficial to use digital devices in the same way that we use televisions—passive and sedentary, both physically and mentally." “But, our computers and smartphones also can be mentally stimulating, afford social connections, and provide compensation for cognitive abilities that are declining with aging. These latter types of uses have long been regarded as beneficial for cognitive aging.”

Prof. Peter Etchells, the director of the Centre for Research on Science and Society at Bath Spa University in the UK, said, “This is a really nice study that shows the research area is starting to mature. The widespread acceptance of the value of discussing screen time is beginning to shift. It is beginning to inquire about the appropriate next questions. Sam Gilbert, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, said the study showed “a clear link” between digital technology usage and preserved cognitive ability in older age.

We are unsure whether technology usage itself preserves cognitive ability, whether preserved cognitive ability leads to increased technology use, or—most likely—a combination of the two. Nevertheless, this work challenges alarmist ideas about so-called ‘digital dementia’ and instead suggests that using digital technology can be good for brain health.”

The study was also applauded by economist Dr. Vincent O'Sullivan from the University of Limerick in Ireland. “The common perception, at least among media commentators, is that technology is making us stupid or forgetful. By meticulously examining a large body of academic literature, these researchers demonstrate that digital technology use is positively related to cognitive health.

“Once we understand the mechanism, we can hopefully design interventions for those at risk of cognitive decline.”