Does Excessive Screen Time Affect Memory in Older Adults?
The relationship between screen time and memory in older adults is becoming increasingly important as more seniors use digital devices. Research shows that how older people use screens matters significantly for their brain health.
When older adults spend excessive time on screens, particularly through passive activities like watching television or scrolling through social media without interaction, their memory and cognitive abilities tend to decline. Studies have found that TV viewing was negatively associated with episodic memory in older adults. Passive screen consumption, where a person simply views and scrolls through content without engaging with others, leads to lower cognitive outcomes including decline in verbal recall and overall cognitive function.
The type of screen activity makes a real difference. Active screen use, such as problem solving, interactive tasks, and learning activities, is actually associated with improved cognitive performance. This includes benefits for memory and recollection, executive functioning, and attention. However, when screen time becomes excessive and passive, the opposite occurs.
Research from studies examining screen exposure and brain function reveals that high screen time is linked to reduced working memory accuracy and weaker engagement in the brain regions responsible for memory and focus. The prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in memory and decision-making, shows less activation in people with high screen exposure compared to those with lower screen time.
Mental health also plays a role in how screen time affects memory. When older adults combine high personal screen time, such as more than five hours daily, with loneliness, they face increased likelihood of poor mental health and diminished sense of purpose. Prolonged screen exposure, especially passive viewing like lengthy television watching, is linked to depressive symptoms and mood issues. These mental health problems can further impact memory and cognitive function.
The physical effects of excessive screen time also matter. Eye strain from prolonged screen use can lead to fatigue and weaken focus, both of which affect memory performance. Sleep problems from excessive screen time can also impair memory consolidation, the process by which the brain stores new information.
Experts recommend that older adults balance their digital activity with physical and social engagement to support healthy brain aging. Using screens with awareness and adjusting habits to include offline activities, encouraging active participation in digital tasks, and developing good digital habits are essential for maintaining memory and cognitive function as people age.
The key takeaway is that screen time itself is not inherently harmful for older adults’ memory. Rather, the amount of time spent on screens and the type of activities performed during that time determine whether screen use helps or hurts memory and overall cognitive health.
Sources
https://www.homoeopathicjournal.com/articles/2158/9-4-276-491.pdf
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1725048/full
