Google Effects On Memory: An Argumentative Analysis

Christian Lous Lange once said “technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” Everyone uses some sort of technology in some shape or form. Even though society loves technology so much and it makes thing easier it is also harming us as well. Technology is harmful to society because it affects the brain, causes health problems, and increases bullying.

Some may say that technology is the best thing that happened in the world but it is not. Technology is changing the way brains are functioning. Technology affects memory, attention, what people focus on and sleep cycles. According to theage.com technology affects humans sleep cycle by bright light screens, making a persons brains think it is still day, which causes sleep difficulties
that can affect the well being of individuals. From a study done by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine 22% of people reported going to sleep with their ringers on and 10% of people reported being woken up by their phones multiple nights a week. Within 15 to 20 minutes before going to bed an individual may check emails, play a video or game, send several text messages, watch tv, or post on social media accounts. Studies also show that most people sleep with their phones within arm's reach. Therefore if their phones is in arm’s reach and they get a notification they will reach over and check their phones. Below is a picture of where people keep their phones while sleeping.

Not only does technology affect sleep cycles, but also memory.
Based on Daniel Wegner's study “Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips” people with access to search engines, remember fewer facts and less information because they know they have these engines as readily available shortcuts. There are many resources to remember different things for us that we no longer attempt to remember even the basic things. Telephone numbers don’t have to be memorized because they are stored in cell phones. Directions are no longer remembered because of GPs devices. These are just a few things that do the job of remembering for
people.

Above is an image of where people keep their phones while sleeping.

In addition attention spans are also manipulated by technology. According to Medical Daily human attention spans have shortened from twelve seconds to eight seconds due to digital technology. Not to mention this is less than the attention span of a goldfish whose attention span is nine seconds on average. People of ages eighteen to thirty four have a thirty one percent higher sustained attention span compared to people fifty five and over at thirty five percent. The average person shifts between their smartphone, tablet, and laptop twenty one times in an hour. This study suggests that the human attention span is smaller because of the growing presence of gadgets.

Above is an image of the human attention span in 2000 to 2013 compared to a goldfish.

Yes technology is very entertaining and helpful, but it is equally damaging. It is changing the brain in multiple ways. First with how much sleep is received, followed by how much is attempted to remembered, how long persons are able to pay attention and so much more. So would you rather be entertained or have a healthy brain? Not only is technology affecting our brains but our health also.

When thinking of health, physical health is the first thought.
What about someone’s mental health. Technology is affecting mental health as well. Stress is one issue with technology. Sometimes when a person doesn't get a reply or gets a reply hours later they often begin to stress themselves and overturn the situation. Overthinking a situation or misreading a person's feeling has led to people being harassed and or being disrespected. The person being harassed and or disrespected may begin to have lower self esteem and many other insecurities. In addition misreading others feelings may also affect relationships because you just simply misunderstand things that were said and done. Talking things out face to face is the most efficient and successful way to resolve a
problem.

Physical health is also affected by technology. Technology can cause vision loss, hearing loss, neck strain and many more problems. One health issue is Computer Vision Syndrome, which is a complex of problems associated with excessive screen time, including eyestrain, blurry vision, and dry eyes. Loud sounds in earbuds can cause hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders about 25 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have a reduced capacity to hear high sound frequencies because of exposure to loud sounds. In 2005-2006 19.5% of adolescents 12-19 suffered from hearing loss.That's one third more than in 1988-1994. According to researchers in a University of South Carolina there is a 64% greater chance of heart disease mortality within 21 years for men who spent 23 or more hours behind a TV screen then those who only spent 11 hours per week.

Although technology grants people a way to meet new friends it also increases bullying. According to BullyingStatistics.org cyber bullying is on the rise more so than any other type of bullying. Cyber bullying is using technology like cell phones on the internet to bully or harass another person. The bullying starts at school and follows students home. Most students bullied are a part of minority groups of students based on gender, race, sexual preference, as well as socioeconomic status. To try to prevent this problem many schools are cutting down this behavior by limiting computer time and prohibiting many social websites.

Cyber bullying can cause other problems in one's life. BullyingStatistics.org says that it can lead to anxiety, depression and even suicide. Not only is the person being bullied harmed, but the actual bully is harmed in the long run. As a consequence it can reflect badly when trying to apply for college or a job. In addition cyber bullies and their parents can face legal charges for cyber bullying. Some think using a fake name won't get them caught, but there are many ways to track a cyber bully.