Older adults who regularly use the internet have half the risk of dementia compared to non-regular users (www.psypost.org)
from L4s@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world on 06 Sep 2023 06:00
https://lemmy.world/post/4538743

Older adults who regularly use the internet have half the risk of dementia compared to non-regular users::A longitudinal study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that older adults who regularly use the internet have about half the risk of developing dementia compared to non-users, even after adjusting for various factors. The ideal amount of internet usage associated with the lowest dementia risk is between 6 minutes and 2 hours daily, with risks rising for those not using the internet at all and those using it for more than 2 hours daily. …

#technology

threaded - newest

nosurprises@lemm.ee on 06 Sep 2023 06:23 next collapse

with risks rising for those using it for more than 2 hours daily

This is not what I wanted to read!

whitecapstromgard@sh.itjust.works on 06 Sep 2023 06:33 next collapse

🤣

kameecoding@lemmy.world on 06 Sep 2023 15:13 next collapse

probably correlation to what they use it for, I am gonna go out on a limb and say those who use it more participate in more, let’s say doomscrolling.

I reckon if you do a controlled study of longer usage for stuff like sudoku and other brain teasers you wouldn’t see the numbers rise after 2 hours, but would probably rise at a higher number when it starts affecting their physical activity levels

qooqie@lemmy.world on 06 Sep 2023 20:51 collapse

As others have taken guesses I will too. I think it’s along the lines of not being lonely, so if they get a sense of community from the internet they’re good. However, using the internet or social media more is typically associated with depression or loneliness.

whitecapstromgard@sh.itjust.works on 06 Sep 2023 06:33 next collapse

Which way is the causal connection? Do they have less risk of dementia because they use the internet, or do they use the internet because their cognitive skills are better?

majestictechie@lemmy.fosshost.com on 06 Sep 2023 09:31 next collapse

Came to say this. Correlation just not equal causation.

whitecapstromgard@sh.itjust.works on 06 Sep 2023 10:22 collapse

There could be a causal connection, but it could just be in the other direction.

Buddahriffic@lemmy.world on 06 Sep 2023 21:20 collapse

I’d like to see lower dementia risk get more serious about its relationship with internet use.

Tatters@feddit.uk on 06 Sep 2023 20:00 collapse

I don’t think any causality has been shown in either direction.

Gray@lemmy.ca on 06 Sep 2023 06:42 next collapse

My brain is powered by memes. Memory? More like memery.

simonced@lemmy.one on 06 Sep 2023 07:54 next collapse

Less dementia, more exposition to phishing and scams…

Raisin8659@monyet.cc on 06 Sep 2023 09:21 collapse

They need those brain cells to combat the scams, and hence, less dementia. ;-)

paraphrand@lemmy.world on 06 Sep 2023 08:23 collapse

So Twitter actually is good for your brain?

What a paradox.