Screen time types influence cognitive aging in older adults

A multi-cohort study published in npj Digital Medicine suggests that the type of screen time used by older adults significantly impacts cognitive aging. By analyzing data from nearly 9,000 participants across four major aging databases—including SHARE, ELSA-HCAP, HRS-HCAP, and NHANES—researchers identified distinct correlations between digital habits and brain health.

The findings indicate that prolonged television viewing, often exceeding four hours per day, is associated with poorer global cognition scores, particularly in immediate recall tests. Conversely, computer use showed an inverse relationship with cognitive decline. Specifically, two to three hours of daily computer use was linked to higher scores in processing speed, orientation, and delayed recall.

As global dementia projections are expected to reach 152 million people by 2050, researchers utilized Mendelian randomization to investigate potential causal links between these digital modalities and neurocognition. The study highlights that how older adults engage with technology may be more critical for cognitive resilience than total screen time alone.