April 14, 2025

expert reaction to meta-analysis on digital technology use and cognitive aging

A meta analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour looks at technology use and cognitive aging. 

Dr Davide Bruno, Reader in Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, said:

“A lot of variables are controlled for in this study, and the results are promising, but a lot of our cognitive resilience may well be genetically determined, which could also lead to greater ease with using technology. The authors do an excellent job of pointing out the limits of their study and acknowledging that there is more work to do. For example, what type of digital activities are better for our brain?  This is a well-done study tackling a timely issue. The authors are careful in their conclusions.”

Dr Leah Mursaleen, Head of Clinical Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK says:

“This large-scale analysis reviewed over 50 published studies from around the world to try to unravel the link between use of digital tech and cognitive ability. This study challenges previous research that has suggested digital technology could reduce cognitive function as we age and instead suggests that use of technology may be linked to lower rates of cognitive decline in older adults.

“With technology now embedded in our daily lives, it’s encouraging to see that using digital tools like computers, smart phones and the internet could be linked to better brain health in later life. However, it’s important to note that this analysis could not include measures of physical changes happening in the brain or consider the age that people were first exposed to digital tech.

“Although the authors explore possible reasons as to why the use of digital tech may promote better cognitive function, more research is needed to understand the relationship further especially in people who are the first generation to grow up with these advances”.

A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging’ by Jared F. Benge et al. was published in Nature Human Behaviour at 16:00 UK time on Monday 14^th April.

DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02159-9

Declared interests

Dr Davide Bruno: None

For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.