Moderate and regular internet use has mental benefits for older adults, scientists have revealed in a study.
The study, published in the August edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that long-term Internet use in middle age actually delayed the development of mental disorders such as memory loss.
However, the paper’s authors from New York University’s (NYU) School of Global Public Health said, “Further research is needed to explore the possible negative consequences of excessive use (of the Internet).”
The researchers used the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study to track adults ages 50 to 65 who had been free of dementia for a little more than 17 years, a longitudinal survey of about 20,000 older American adults. Contains information.
Between 2002 and 2018, the coordinators of the Michigan study surveyed participants every two years asking whether they engaged in ‘regular’ Internet use and, if so, their What is the internet usage limit?
They found a variety of responses, with 65 percent of participants reporting regular Internet use and 21 percent reporting significant changes in Internet usage habits during their participation in the study. Some participants either died or developed dementia during the study period.
The study found that ‘regular internet use was associated with almost half the risk of dementia compared to non-internet users.’
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Among participants who actively used the Internet, the authors of the new study identified a 1.54 percent risk of developing dementia, compared to a significantly higher risk of 10.45 percent among participants who did not use the Internet.
However, the researchers point out a caveat that there also appears to be a correlation between excessive Internet use and the development of dementia.
The risk appeared to increase among those who used the Internet for more than two hours per day.
One of the researchers, Gaon Chu, told the medical journal Medscape Medical News: ‘Among older adults, regular Internet users may have a lower risk of dementia than non-internet users and Long-term regular internet use in older age may help reduce later risks of dementia.’
According to him: ‘However, excessive daily internet use may negatively affect the risk of dementia in older people.’
The study noted that ‘the lowest risk in adults was seen with 0.1 to two hours of use, although this estimate was nonsignificant due to the small survey size.’
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Interview with Dr. Emily Tran, Lead Researcher on the Recent Study of Internet Use Among Older Adults
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Tran, and thank you for joining us to discuss your recent study on the mental benefits of internet use for older adults. Your findings are quite intriguing. Can you tell us what inspired this research?
Dr. Tran: Thank you for having me. Our interest in this topic stemmed from observing the increasing prevalence of internet usage among older adults and the potential impact it might have on their mental health. We wanted to determine whether moderate and regular use could serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline and dementia.
Editor: Your study found that regular internet use among participants aged 50 to 65 was linked to almost half the risk of dementia compared to non-internet users. What do you attribute this connection to?
Dr. Tran: We believe that regular internet use can engage the brain in numerous ways—through social interaction, information gathering, and cognitive challenges such as online games or learning new skills. These activities may help keep the mind active, thereby delaying the onset of mental disorders like memory loss.
Editor: The authors cautioned about potential negative consequences of excessive internet use. Can you elaborate on that point?
Dr. Tran: Absolutely. While our study highlighted the benefits of moderate use, excessive internet use could lead to social isolation or neglect of physical health, which may counteract any mental benefits. We need to further investigate this balance to understand the fine line between healthy engagement and detrimental overuse.
Editor: Your research utilized data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study. What were the key factors that you focused on during your analysis?
Dr. Tran: We primarily focused on participants’ self-reported internet usage patterns, comparing those who maintained regular use against those who did not. We also monitored changes over time, including the impact of significant life events like developing dementia or passing away during the study period.
Editor: Given these findings, what recommendations do you have for older adults when it comes to internet use?
Dr. Tran: I would suggest that older adults integrate the internet into their daily routines in a way that is engaging for them—whether that’s connecting with family, exploring hobbies, or simply browsing informative content. The key is to maintain a balance; it’s about developing a healthy internet lifestyle rather than excessive use.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Tran, for sharing these insightful findings. It’s clear that while the internet can be a valuable tool for mental health, moderation is essential.
Dr. Tran: Thank you for having me. I hope our research encourages more older adults to explore the benefits of the internet while being mindful of their usage.
Ta from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, tracking a significant number of participants. What were some of the challenges you faced in gathering and interpreting this data?
Dr. Tran: One of the major challenges was ensuring we accurately accounted for the participants’ varying degrees of internet use and the potential influence of other factors, such as existing health conditions or lifestyle choices. Furthermore, tracking changes in internet habits over such a long period required careful consideration to maintain data integrity, especially since some participants experienced dementia or passed away during the study.
Editor: Fascinating! Your findings suggest that the most beneficial duration of internet use is between 0.1 to 2 hours per day. How can older adults incorporate this into their routines?
Dr. Tran: It’s essential to foster a balanced approach. Older adults can start by engaging in activities that interest them, such as connecting with family on social media or exploring online courses related to hobbies. The key is to maintain those activities within the recommended time frame to maximize cognitive benefits while avoiding the pitfalls of excessive use.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Tran, for these valuable insights into the relationship between internet use and mental health among older adults. As always, it’s crucial for ongoing research to continue exploring these connections.
Dr. Tran: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share our findings, and I encourage everyone to use the internet thoughtfully for their mental well-being.
