How your smartphone could help you fight age-related brain decline and dementia

While many reports have blamed our tech addiction for everything from poor eye health to social isolation, new research suggests a surprising upside: using your smartphone might actually be good for your brain.

In fact engaging with digital technology may protect older adults against cognitive decline and dementia by providing a buffer against age-related decline, according to new research.

Researchers reviewed data from 57 studies, covering more than 400,000 adults aged 50 and older. They found that using digital technology — whether it was a smartphone, the internet, or a personal computer — was consistently linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment and decline over time.

Dr. Jared Benge, co-author of the study, explained that the very generation responsible for ushering in the digital revolution “is now reaching the age where dementia risks emerge.”

“Far from causing ‘digital dementia,’ as some feared, we found technology engagement is consistently linked to better brain health, even after accounting for education, income and physical health,” Dr Benge said.

As part of the study, the research team separated the participants into two groups, firstly those aged between 50-65  and those over 65 years old. They found that using digital technology benefited both groups, while the protective effect from using technology was comparable to or stronger than other factors such as physical activity and education.

They also saw the protective effects from tech use repeated in both snapshot and multiyear studies, which Dr Benge said, shows that technological reserve might work as a protective factor against cognitive decline.

In other words, using technology may strengthen the brain’s ability to deal with age-related changes that can bring brain decline by maintaining social connections, challenging the mind with new learning, and creating new pathways that help compensate for normal age-related memory loss.

“Our data suggests encouraging older adults to engage with technology, particularly in a manner that helps challenge, connect and compensate for cognitive problems, could be a powerful approach to promoting cognitive health,” Dr Benge said.

This is reassuring news for many of us who worry we spend too much time on phones and supports previous research that suggests staying mentally engaged reduces the risk of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.