With Apple’s recent release of iOS7 and rumors of the iPhone 6 in the making, the use of cellphones
has continued to rise and, with it, so has the use of digital technology in general. This surge is making
some doctors concerned about the effects of digital technology on the human brain, specifically memory functions.

A study in South Korea recently found that people who heavily rely on technology may find that their
cognitive abilities deteriorate, including short term memory.

The study indicated that the use of digital technology keeps people from using their memory and
problem-solving skills on a regular basis by relying on their devices to store information, and
calculators or the Internet to answer questions. The phenomenon has been termed “Digital Dementia,”
a phrase made popular by Manfred Spitzer, a German psychiatrist of the Ulm University Hospital, who
published a book of the same name.

“Avoid digital media,” Spitzer wrote. “As shown here many times over, they truly do make us fat,
dumb, aggressive, lonely, sick and unhappy.”

Allowing children to use online media is equivalent to serving them beer or ‘hooking’ them with
heroin, Spitzer said in his book. But not everyone agrees with his theory.

“I’m not really sure how much weight I’d put behind all of their claims,” said Glenn Valdez, a
psychology professor at Grand Valley State University. “I definitely don’t think you can draw a direct
cause between technology and damage to the brain.”

Valdez cited a recent study at the Univeristy of California, Los Angeles, that found that older adults
who regularly used a brain-fitness program on a computer demonstrated significantly improved
memory and language skills.

“I don’t think we can say it’s specifically technology that’s doing things to us, but how we use it,” he
said.

Ashley Garett, an iPhone user and engineering student at gvsu, said that switching to the iPhone has
made her more dependent on her cellphone, but she doesn’t feel it has damaged her abilities.

“I just think ‘phone’ first, before my ability,” Garett said. “I know that research and studies are out
there, but I’ve never really looked at them.”

Potential health concerns don’t worry her either.

“If it was going to shorten my life expectancy by five or more years or affect my day-to-day life, then
I’d worry,” she said.

Valdez agreed that the overuse of digital technology—like cellphones, computers and the internet—
can cause damage to brain functions, but in general it’s highly unlikely.

“When it comes to memorizing, I’ve always been more concerned about how they interpret information
as opposed to facts,” he said. “It’s not always a bad thing to be able to look things up, but I think you
should have to memorize to a certain extent.”

Valdez uses technology a lot in his profession and is in front of his laptop most of the day answering
emails, writing papers and preparing for classes. He also uses PowerPoint when lecturing and
Facebook groups for his students. His advice is for people to use their technology when it’s needed,
not all the time.

“It’s something that’s obviously a necessity,” Valdez said. “(But) it’s a matter of balancing things.”

Outside of work, he said he probably uses digital technology as much as anybody.

“I have an iPhone, but I’m not glued to it,” he said. “I do try to make a point of, unless it’s extremely
pressing, not answering emails after 5 p.m. Am I concerned about my brain and use of technologies?
No. It’s really the overuse of technology that leads to these issues, but you could really apply that to
the overuse of anything.”

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