Memory care is not just something we should look into when we start having problems. We should work to maintain our memory before a problem occurs. There have been many studies that show using technology can help our memory but is that always true?

A recent study indicates that the internet may actually hinder our memory skills – not because of the technology but because we feel there is no longer a need to remember things on our own when it is so easy to access information online.

Betsy Sparrow, assistant professor in psychology at Columbia, analyzed the impact of the huge accessibility of data from the internet on memory skills. Dr. Sparrow and her collaborators, Daniel M. Wegner of Harvard and Jenny Liu of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, staged four different memory experiments. One was for participants to type snippets of knowledge into a computer. One group was told the data would be erased and another was told it would be stored. The group that thought the data would be erased was much more likely to be able to recall the snippets later.

The other experiments had similar results. You can read more about this study here.

Ultimately, it seems that we need to be aware that using technology can be very beneficial. For example, many computer games challenge us in ways that enhance our memory. But it is wise to be aware that the internet can also make our brains “lazy”. Challenge yourself to use your memory more and the internet less by picking a subject you are fond of and studying it and memorizing the trivia!