Smartphones and Cognitive Decline: A Growing Concern

Smartphones: A New Extension of Our Thinking Process?

Mohamed Elmasry, an emeritus professor of computer engineering at the University of Waterloo, observed his grandchildren using their smartphones to answer simple questions, such as calculating one-third of nine or identifying the capital of Cuba. This reliance on technology for information retrieval is becoming increasingly common, with 60% of the global population and 97% of those under 30 using smartphones. This has led to a phenomenon known as cognitive outsourcing, where individuals depend on external systems for information gathering and processing. This reliance on technology, however, may be contributing to cognitive decline.

The Impact of Cognitive Outsourcing

Cognitive outsourcing can have significant impacts on our cognitive abilities. For example, habitual use of GPS has been linked to a decrease in spatial memory, which can affect our ability to navigate independently. Similarly, the increasing use of AI applications is leading to impaired critical thinking skills, dependency, loss of decision-making ability, and laziness. Experts are emphasizing the importance of cultivating and prioritizing innate human skills that technology cannot replicate.

The Neglected Power of Real Intelligence

Elmasry asserts that the overreliance on technology does not mean individuals are "stupid"; rather, they are not using their real intelligence. The overuse of apps and digital devices has led to a reliance on internet search engines instead of our own cognitive abilities. This can lead to cognitive atrophy, much like physical muscles that are not used. This phenomenon is referred to as the "Google effect" or digital amnesia, where individuals forget information that is readily available on the internet.

The Illusion of Knowledge

Studies have shown that individuals who rely on search engines like Google perform worse on learning assessments and memory recall than those who do not use online resources. These individuals often have higher confidence in their mastery of the material, indicating a bias known as the "illusion of knowledge". This bias can lead to an overestimation of learning and a lack of awareness of their learning deficit.

The Impact of Smartphone Presence

Even the mere presence of a smartphone can reduce available cognitive capacity, even if the phone is not in use. This "brain drain" effect is likely due to the smartphone's subtle allocation of our attention, making it harder to concentrate fully on the task at hand. Excessive tech use has also been linked to impaired social intelligence.

The Shift Towards Machine-Like Behavior

In the United States, children aged 8 to 12 spend 4 to 6 hours a day on screens, while teenagers may spend up to 9 hours daily. This excessive screen time has been linked to reduced social interactions, emotional intelligence, and the development of autistic-like symptoms. Dr. Jason Liu, a research scientist and founding president of the Mind-Body Science Institute International, has observed these effects in his young patients, noting their mechanical speech, lack of emotional expression, poor eye contact, and difficulty forming genuine human connections.

The Internet Paradox

The concept of the "Internet Paradox", where the internet leads to antisocial behavior despite being a social tool, was introduced as early as 1988. Increased internet use has been associated with reduced communication with family members, smaller social circles, and heightened depression and loneliness. However, extroverts with stronger social networks may benefit more from internet use and become more engaged in online communities, mitigating these negative impacts.

The Eureka Moment

While advanced technologies like AI may seem sophisticated, they are incomparable to the human mind. AI systems are indifferent to elements like meaning, emotion, and social interaction, which are vital for human learning. They can only "learn" with the data they are fed and cannot produce anything new. Humans, on the other hand, can learn through our senses and interact with our environment, processing a large amount of data from what we see, hear, taste, and touch.

Bottom Line

The increasing reliance on smartphones and technology for information retrieval and processing is a growing concern. While these tools can be beneficial, their overuse can lead to cognitive decline and impaired social intelligence. It's crucial to balance our use of technology with the cultivation and prioritization of our innate human skills. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and join the discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.