We often see a bit of scrolling around on the phone or laptop as something negative. But that may not be right: it would even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Researchers at New York University looked at the internet use of more than 18,000 people aged 50 and older. They followed them for 17 years. And there was absolutely no sign of the bad influence of the internet. In fact, it was actually beneficial for the cognitive health of the elderly. Regular internet users are said to have about half the risk of dementia than those who did not or hardly used the internet.
Of course you shouldn’t overdo it. Those who were online for more than six hours a day were just as likely to have cognitive problems as those who were rarely online. As with many things, here also applies: do it in moderation.
But even then it is remarkable that the chance of dementia is no less than half smaller among internet users. So you certainly don’t have to feel guilty anymore if you hang around aimlessly on the Libelle forum or look for a nice campsite on the ANWB site, it’s very good for your mental health.
