Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Uzm. Dr. Celal Şalçini gave information about 'Digital Dementia', which he describes as a current pandemic. Humans allow machines to do mental activities.
Neurology Specialist Uzm. Dr. Celal Şalçini said that digital dementia develops when individuals spend excessive amounts of time on electronic devices.
Stating that according to Spitzer, people allow machines to do their mental activities by storing phone numbers, passwords and other information on devices thanks to technological devices. It shows that children growing up in the digital age develop cognitive and attention problems, as well as problems with memory, organization, reasoning, problem solving and face-to-face social communication.” made the statement.
“Digital dementia” is an ignored epidemic of this century
Emphasizing that the COVID-19 epidemic in particular has imprisoned us at home and caused an increase in our ties to technology, Şalçini said, “Distance education and online job opportunities have increased in the changing world. In addition, the dizzying increase in artificial intelligence recently increases our dependence on technology and accelerates the effects of the digital dementia epidemic. Digital dementia is an ignored epidemic of this century and it affects our future generations.” said.
We're all in digital dementia
“Today we are all in a state of digital dementia where we are too distracted to complete even basic daily tasks.” Şalçini said, “While diseases in the spectrum of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease, increase with age, digital dementia can even affect children with developing brains. Overuse of electronic devices at a young age is a growing concern for doctors and psychologists. Social isolation, lack of movement, anger, short-term memory loss, developmental delays are some of the symptoms of digital dementia.” He drew attention to the effects of digital dementia.
Print media should be encouraged to read
Noting that the use of technology is inevitably increasing even in schools today, Neurology Specialist Uzm. Dr. Celal Şalçini said, “It is necessary to teach future generations to use technology wisely. Studies show that reading printed materials increases reading comprehension. For this reason, it should be encouraged to use print media such as magazines, comics and newspapers instead of tablets and smartphones for reading.” made a suggestion.
“Change starts with us”
Noting that it is known that playing games and exercising are extremely important to keep the brain active and healthy, Şalçini concluded his words as follows:
“Playing outdoor sports encourages real-time problem solving. Children should be encouraged to play games such as chess, scrabble, and jigsaw that allow thinking and problem solving, instead of only attention-enhancing and reaction time-based games on technological devices. Also, children are mirrors of their parents, they apply what they see, not what they hear. Change starts with us.”