Research has been going on regarding the influence of technology on the human brain, and it has proved that technological aspects, such as the internet, mobile phones, and video games have both positive and adverse effects on the brain. Today’s world revolves around technology. From the laptop currently being used to write this paper that is hooked up to the internet, to the microwave that is used to cook dinner. People apply technology to do just about any and everything. Technological advancements have entirely revolutionized the way people think and function in the world. Technology is not only restricted to daily use; it has found its way to the medical and science fields as well. Technological progress has permitted researchers to start studying how we think, which helps to recognize which portions of the brain are affected by technology. Some believe that technology is beginning to do some of our thinking for us, allowing us to inhibit our critical thinking skills and cognitive functions. Others think that technology puts more knowledge at our fingertips, providing us with better-informed decisions. Several research findings by cognitive psychologists report that technology produces both negative as well as positive impact on the intelligent systems of human beings (Sternberg, Robert, and David Preiss 2013). Thus, this paper aims to discuss how technology influences the human brain, both positively and negatively.
Scientists have shown that contemporary technology affects the human brain both positively and adversely. Technology might be either of big help or significant threat to people in future, subject to the way the people use it. Experts have applied the term ‘Mind change" in cognitive psychology to show discrepancies which happen in the brain after a person consumes a lot of time using a computer. Nevertheless, many neuroscientists have stated that it is yet too early to make any determinations concerning how technology could affect the brain.
Today, even though the influence of video games cannot be fully explained, the human brains are receptive to change, and that depends on the motives provided to them if there are the right circumstances for change. Many experts have exposed their views on the impacts of video games on the brain, and consequently, they have given various exciting results.
Video games benefit the brain functions. Overall, they improve decision making, task switching, and visual acuity. However, they have been found to significantly influence attention and vision, which contribute to making them weak. But, there exists an influence on the intellectual functioning of the brain, especially in academic fields, in which, scholars result in being slow-paced in the taking of content. As well, violent games are associated with making the video game players have aggressive thoughts. Such games can create anti-social behavior as a consequence of addiction to their use. Further, they make a person less emphatic, which produces an adverse effect on the emotions of the person. Dependence has been correlated to the stimulant effect the games have on the brain of the user (Gazzaley 2012).
Moreover, the system of the brain regulates addiction, and reward may be stimulated through screen technologies, which lead to high levels of stimulation in users. Such may generate even more upper attachment to the activities that are based on the screen. Addiction to the internet might harm the brain, and create a reduction of the gray matter of the brain, by rewiring the structures of the brain. The games may as well hinder development in different brain parts which are accountable for behavior, learning, and emotion since they stimulate the brain regions responsible for vision and motion (Jacko, Julie 2009).
However, because of the benefits of computer games to the brain functioning, neuroscientists recommend for their usage in the classroom, for improving learning, because of their effectiveness in influencing didactic thoughts (Sternberg, Robert, and David Preiss 2013). Such games may also be used in rehabilitative exercises such as treating memory lapse as well as traumatic stress.
The progression of mobile technology further affects the brain. Such is mostly because of repeated interruptions which challenge the cognitive system of the brain. The control system aids people in accomplishing demanding tasks within a given time. There is endless evidence which connects the use of mobile phone to brain damage. Human brains are sensitive to noise cell phones produce, for instance, the phone's radio system influences cognitive activities. A lot of such noise may decrease memory (Gazzaley 2012).
Simple duties such as answering important calls as a result of the continuous buzzing of the phone might intervene with the ability of the brain to retrieve the crucial work a person was performing before the phone call. Thus, this is attributable to the fact that, distraction happens in the memory system in control of remembrance, by getting the phone call. Conversely, mobile phones may enhance brain functions. There has been the growth of applications for developing brain software that may operate on cell phones and tablets. The apps might encourage an individual's knowledge of his cognitive abilities, and promote tracking of such capabilities for several years. Improvement in those tools will as well help scientists, and doctors decode efficient ways of handling diseases talked to them by patients. Programs for brain training might also be generated to enable a delay in the progression of conditions such as dementia, and again, correct neurotic conditions (Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2012).
Another feature of technology is the internet, and it has a remarkable effect on the human brain. Use of the internet produces addiction as a result of brain changes, similar to that one of alcohol and cocaine. Teens with internet addiction have been found with some suffering in the white matter fibers of the brain, which are responsible for linking decision-making, attention as well as the emotional processing of brain parts. Such types of damages are the same to those set people addicted to drugs (Gazzaley 2012).
Furthermore, the brain needs social relations for the maintenance of its vital condition. However, the internet kills the users' social life. The influence on the white matter of the brain of internet browsers reduces their significance of involvements which happen in new life. Teens age is retreating more from real life as a result of using the internet constantly; this is time-consuming. Preventing these youths from the use of the internet makes them frustrated, and they end up making impaired judgments and find it harder to make a choice. Such withdrawal symptoms are also evident in drug addicts (The Telegraph 2012).
Overall, we can conclude that technology has the potential to affect a wide range of cognitive domains. When attempting to pin down the impact technology has on cognitive function, it is necessary to realize that there can be complex variables. While some recognize technology as the cause of the problem, others believe that technology only shows the problematic natures that people already possess. The capacity to turn off technology and use their cognitive functions is a strength. The use of technology should be a source of enhancing your cognitive functions, not a replacement for them. Although Modern technology affects the human brain both positively and negatively, the technology could support in overcoming problems such as memory loss in adults, and as well help doctors in monitoring their patients.