Using Tech Might Actually Protect Your Brain As You Age

Older adults who frequently use digital technology may experience slower rates of cognitive decline, according to a sweeping new analysis that challenges long-standing concerns about so-called "digital dementia." The study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, reviewed 57 studies involving more than 411,000 adults across the globe, with an average participant age of nearly 69. Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University found that consistent use of technology—such as smartphones, computers and the internet—was linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment in people over 50. The findings come at a time when digital devices have become nearly ubiquitous: according to the Pew Research Center, 98 percent of Americans now own a cellphone of some kind, and 91 percent own a smartphone—up from just 35 percent in 2011.

These findings appear to contradict the popular idea that everyday use of technology weakens cognitive ability. Instead, they suggest it might help preserve brain health later in life. "This large-scale analysis reviewed over 50 published studies from around the world to try to unravel the link between use of digital tech and cognitive ability," said Dr. Leah Mursaleen, the head of clinical research at Alzheimer's Research UK. "This study challenges previous research that has suggested digital technology could reduce cognitive function as we age and instead suggests that use of technology may be linked to lower rates of cognitive decline in older adults." Around two-thirds of Americans experience some degree of cognitive decline by the average age of 70. According to 2020 research, the lifetime risk of developing dementia is 37 percent for women and 24 percent for men, with the average age of onset being 83 for women and 79 for men. Mursaleen added: "With technology now embedded in our daily lives, it's encouraging to see that using digital tools like computers, smart phones and the internet could be linked to better brain health in later life. However, it's important to note that this analysis could not include measures of physical changes happening in the brain or consider the age that people were first exposed to digital tech. "Although the authors explore possible reasons as to why the use of digital tech may promote better cognitive function, more research is needed to understand the relationship further especially in people who are the first generation to grow up with these advances". The analysis was led by Jared Benge and Michael Scullin, who examined studies that included either a cognitive diagnosis or formal testing. Their findings held even after controlling for variables such as age, education, income, health, and other lifestyle factors. Importantly, they also found consistent results in longitudinal studies, which tracked participants over time—on average for more than six years—suggesting a lower risk of cognitive decline among frequent tech users. Dr. Davide Bruno, reader in psychology at Liverpool John Moores University in the U.K. who was not involved in the study said: "A lot of variables are controlled for in this study, and the results are promising, but a lot of our cognitive resilience may well be genetically determined, which could also lead to greater ease with using technology. "The authors do an excellent job of pointing out the limits of their study and acknowledging that there is more work to do. For example, what type of digital activities are better for our brain? This is a well-done study tackling a timely issue. The authors are careful in their conclusions." While the study does not explain how or why digital technology might protect cognition, the authors speculate that it could support memory, organization and social engagement—behaviors known to maintain brain function. They emphasize that more research is needed to better understand the relationship between digital engagement and long-term cognitive health. As the first generation of lifelong tech users enters older age, these findings offer a counter-narrative to fears of screen-induced decline—and point instead to the potential benefits of staying connected.Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about cognitive decline? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.ReferenceHale, J. M., Schneider, D. C., Mehta, N. K., & Myrskylä, M. (2020). Cognitive impairment in the U.S.: Lifetime risk, age at onset, and years impaired. SSM - Population Health, 11, 100577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100577 Benge, J. F., & Scullin, M. K. (2025). A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging. Nature Human Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02159-9