The digital age has transformed how we interact with information and each other. Recent studies discussed by gamblers on sites like Mr Bet and social media channels suggest that our relationship with technology may be altering more than just our social habits—it could be changing how our brains function at a fundamental level.
From memory to attention span, from navigation abilities to problem-solving approaches, our increasing dependency on smartphones appears to be reshaping various aspects of human cognition. It’s a shift that even spills into social settings—think of brewery visits where digital distractions often compete with meaningful conversations and the sensory experience of trying new homebrews. As devices become more integrated into our daily routines in New Zealand and worldwide, understanding these changes becomes increasingly important.
How Smartphone Reliance Affects Memory
One of the most noticeable effects of constant device usage involves our memory systems. Rather than remembering information itself, many of us now remember where to find information—a phenomenon psychologists call “the Google effect” or “digital amnesia.”
This shift represents a fundamental change in how we process information:
- Long-term memory formation decreases when we expect information to remain accessible online
- Spatial memory may weaken as we rely on GPS rather than building mental maps
- Working memory exercises less frequently when phones handle calculations and short-term storage
- Episodic memory changes as we externalise memories through photos and social media
These adaptations aren’t necessarily negative—they may represent an evolutionary response to information abundance. However, the question remains whether these changes affect our deeper cognitive skills for processing and synthesising knowledge.
Attention and Focus: The Cost of Digital Multitasking
The relationship between smartphone addiction and attention spans has become a growing area of neuroscientific research. Studies suggest constant interruptions from notifications and the habit of quickly shifting between apps may be training our brains to process information differently.
| Cognitive Function | Traditional Processing | Smartphone-Influenced Processing |
| Sustained Attention | 15-20 minutes of focus | 40-120 second intervals before checking the device |
| Deep Thinking | Linear, single-task focus | Parallel processing with frequent task-switching |
| Reading Comprehension | Extended engagement with text | Scanning and skimming for key information |
| Information Processing | Thorough analysis before moving on | Rapid assessment and filtering of large volumes |
| Boredom Threshold | Higher tolerance for understimulation | Significantly lower threshold for seeking stimulation |
These patterns reveal how our information consumption habits may be changing the fundamental architecture of attention. While some adaptations may prove beneficial for navigating an information-rich environment, others may hinder abilities requiring sustained concentration.
The Impact of Smartphones on Brain Development
Particularly concerning to researchers is how these technologies affect young minds still in critical developmental periods. Children and adolescents in New Zealand, like elsewhere, are growing up as “digital natives” with unprecedented access to mobile technology from their earliest years. For adults reflecting on this shift, conversations over a thoughtfully brewed pint can be a welcome break from screens—and a reminder of the value in slowing down and connecting face-to-face.
Evidence suggests that excessive screen time during critical windows of cognitive development may influence:
- Executive function development, including impulse control and planning abilities
- Social cognition and emotional intelligence through reduced face-to-face interactions
- Language development through changed communication patterns
- Visual processing systems through constant exposure to screen-based stimuli
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health has issued guidelines recommending limited screen time for different age groups, acknowledging the potential impact these technologies may have on developing minds.
Spatial Navigation and Environmental Awareness
One clear example of technology and cognitive skills interacting can be observed in how we navigate our environment. With GPS constantly available, many people no longer build detailed mental maps or develop advanced navigational abilities.
Some studies show that habitual GPS users demonstrate less hippocampal activity during navigation tasks, the hippocampus being crucial for spatial memory and navigation. This reduced activity potentially indicates a shifting reliance from internal to external systems for wayfinding.
This change extends beyond simply getting from point A to point B. Our awareness of surroundings, ability to identify landmarks, and capacity to reorient ourselves when lost are all cognitive skills that may diminish with excessive reliance on navigational technology.
Finding Balance in a Digital World
While concerns about smartphone reliance are valid, it’s important to recognize that technology itself is neutral—it’s how we use these tools that determines their impact. Many New Zealanders are finding ways to establish healthier relationships with their devices without abandoning the genuine benefits they provide.
Practices that can help maintain cognitive flexibility include:
- Designated tech-free periods during the day
- Mindful usage tracking and app limitations
- Regular cognitive challenges that exercise traditional thinking skills
- Deliberate practice of navigation without GPS assistance
- Physical activities that require environmental awareness and engagement
These approaches acknowledge the reality of our digital world while preserving traditional cognitive pathways that might otherwise weaken through disuse.
Adapting Without Surrendering
The fast-changing bond between human beings and technology systems creates multiple conditions that impact brain function. The shift in information resources requires us to treat changes as part of our evolution.
By understanding how smartphone reliance affects our thinking, we can make more informed choices about our technology usage. We should aim to use digital tools with purpose and the protection of our entire cognitive functionality.
You seem to wonder what impact your technology relationship has on your thought processes. Establish habits to monitor technology usage and replace some screen time with enriching offline activities — such as spending time in your homebrewery, where conversation flows over craft pours. Through your research, you will probably detect unexpected findings regarding your cognitive patterns, leading to a more balanced approach between tech benefits and independent mental control.
