A report released by U.K. cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab claims that our over-reliance on digital technology is weakening our memory, according to CTV News. The report used surveys of over 6,000 people aged 16 and older to determine the effects of digital devices on the recall of information and found that one-third of European adults will use the Internet for answers before they try to remember the information on their own.
"This urge for the fastest possible access to information, combined with a reluctance to remember it afterwards, has far-reaching implications for both our long-term memories and for the IT security of the devices we depend on," the security firm said in a statement.
The results of the survey suggest that relying on the Internet and other digital technology to provide answers may have a long-term impact on the development of memories because this information is often forgotten immediately after it is acquired, according to BBC News.
"Our brain appears to strengthen a memory each time we recall it, and at the same time forget irrelevant memories that are distracting us," said Maria Wimber from the University of Birmingham. "In contrast, passively repeating information, such as repeatedly looking it up on the internet, does not create a solid, lasting memory trace in the same way."
In order to combat this decline in memory, Kaspersky Lab suggests that we make an effort to decrease this reliance on digital technology, according to The International Business Times.
"With connected devices being an integral part of our everyday lives, Kaspersky Lab is calling for all consumers to ensure these are sufficiently protected from online security risks before it's too late," they said. "Without putting the right measures in place now, our impatience for knowledge at the click of a button could lead to loss of important information or special memories."
