Digital Amnesia: The Erosion of Memory

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 3, 544 - 553

Yalçın Kanbay , Elçin Babaoğlu , Aydan Akkurt Yalçıntürk , Aysun Akçam

https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1539145

Abstract

Digital amnesia is a condition in which our memory capacity decreases as a result of changes in our habits of accessing and storing information with the many features of modern digital devices and the internet. When people think that information is easily accessible on the Internet, they prefer to store information on digital devices rather than remember it. This situation leads to a weakening of in-depth information processing and critical thinking skills due to the ease of access to information and the immediate availability of responses. In particular, the fact that students and young adults store and rely on information on digital devices rather than taking notes negatively affects their learning and memory processes. Neuroscience research suggests that the constant flow of digital information may lead to structural and functional changes in brain regions associated with attention and memory. These changes include cognitive effects such as distraction and reduced memory functions resulting from intensive use of digital devices. Digital amnesia also has social and psychological effects. Continuous use of digital devices reduces face-to-face communication and weakens social interactions. Increased screen time and the expectation of instant access to information lead to psychological problems such as impatience, distraction, sleep problems and stress. In conclusion, digital detox, time management by limiting screen time, and sleep hygiene are important to minimize the negative effects of excessive use of digital devices and to protect cognitive health. Strategies such as memory exercises with activities such as solving puzzles and reading books, physical note-taking and planning, more face-to-face social interactions and increasing physical activity also have important effects on cognitive health protection. It is also suggested to raise public awareness through trainings on the concept of digital amnesia, its negative effects and prevention strategies.

Keywords

Digital amnesia, information processing, cognitive functions

Dijital Amnezi: Hafızanın Erozyonu

Abstract

Dijital amnezi, modern dijital cihazların ve internetin geniş işlevleriyle birlikte, bilgiye erişim ve depolama alışkanlıklarımızın değişmesi sonucu hafıza kapasitemizin azalması durumudur. İnsanlar, bilgiye internet üzerinden kolayca erişilebileceğini düşündüklerinde, bilgiyi hafızalarına almak yerine dijital cihazlara kaydetmeyi tercih etmektedirler. Bu durum, bilgiye erişim kolaylığı ve anında yanıt bulunabilirliği nedeniyle derinlemesine bilgi işleme ve eleştirel düşünme becerilerinin zayıflamasına neden olmaktadır. Özellikle, öğrenci ve genç yetişkinlerin bilgileri dijital cihazlarda saklamaları ve not almak yerine bu cihazlara güvenmeleri, öğrenme ve hafızada bilgi saklama süreçlerini olumsuz etkilemektedir. Nörobilim araştırmaları, sürekli dijital bilgi akışının beynin dikkat ve hafıza ile ilişkili bölgelerinde yapısal ve işlevsel değişikliklere yol açabileceğini öne sürmektedir. Bu değişiklikler, dijital cihazların yoğun kullanımı sonucu ortaya çıkan dikkat dağınıklığı ve hafıza işlevlerinde azalma gibi bilişsel etkileri içerir. Ayrıca, dijital amnezi sosyal ve psikolojik etkiler de yaratmaktadır. Sürekli dijital cihaz kullanımı, yüz yüze iletişimi azaltmakta ve sosyal etkileşimlerde zayıflamaya yol açmaktadır. Artan ekran süresi ve bilgiye anında erişim beklentisi, bireylerde sabırsızlık, dikkat dağınıklığı, uyku problemleri ve stres gibi psikolojik sorunlara neden olmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, dijital cihazların aşırı kullanımının olumsuz etkilerini minimize etmek ve bilişsel sağlığı korumak amacıyla dijital detoks, ekran süresini sınırlandırarak zaman yönetimi ve uyku hijyeninin sağlanması önemlidir. Bulmaca çözme, kitap okuma gibi aktivitelerle bellek egzersizleri yapma, fiziksel not alma ve planlama, daha fazla yüz yüze sosyal etkileşimler kurma ve fiziksel aktiviteyi artırma gibi stratejilerin de bilişsel sağlığı koruma da önemli etkileri vardır. Ayrıca dijital amnezi kavramı, olumsuz etkileri ve bunları önleme stratejilerine ilişkin eğitimler yoluyla toplumsal farkındalık geliştirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Dijital amnezi, bilgi işleme, bilişsel işlevler

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