Do smartphones really harm our memory function? According to a new British study, the use of smartphones and other digital devices can actually improve memory skills.
The UCL University of London study demonstrated that using digital devices can help people store and remember important information, which helps the devices themselves "make room" for external storage of less important information.
In the past, it was widely argued that computers and cell phones prevent people from using their memory cells and remembering things.
An expert from the University of Oxford even spoke out on the subject and said that the evidence has increased that the use of cell phones may affect the functioning of the brain in a negative way.
The mind is free to focus
The study was carried out using a memory task adapted to a smartphone, given to 158 volunteers aged 18-71.
Participants were shown numbered circles on the screen, and they had to sort them according to the instructions.
Participants performed the task 16 times.
In eight of them they had to use their memory, and in the remaining eight times they were allowed to use their smartphone to set reminders.
The times the participants used the phone they achieved better results.
Itai Eniel, an expert in the development of memory strategies, addresses the issue: "The study proved that using a smartphone as external storage helps people remember not only what is stored on the phone, but also information that is not stored on it. That is, when part of our memory is deposited in the phone, our brain is free to focus on other information and to remember it better. Sharing the load between the brain and the phone has been proven to be a factor that can improve memory function."
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