Digital Amnesia
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Yes, it is a real term people use in 2024.
Yes, it is related to digital wellness, digital addictions, etc.
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Nov 12, 2024 09:56 PM
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Digital Amnesia
[dij-i-tuhl am-nee-zhuh]
What Is Digital Amnesia?
Digital amnesia is the experience of forgetting information we trust our devices to remember for us, like phone numbers, directions, or important dates. It's the modern tendency to forget things we know we can easily look up online or access through our devices.
Word Origins:
The term combines "digital" (relating to computer technology) with "amnesia" (from Greek "amnēsia" meaning forgetfulness). It gained prominence in 2015 when Kaspersky Lab conducted a study about how digital devices affect our memory patterns.
How Digital Amnesia Affects Our Memory
Our brains are adapting to the digital age by changing how we store information. Instead of remembering the actual information, we're getting better at remembering where to find it. Think of it like remembering which folder you saved a file in, rather than the file's contents. While this helps us manage information overload, it can make us overly dependent on our devices.
Managing Digital Memory Dependencies
To maintain healthy memory function while using digital tools:
- Practice memorizing essential phone numbers
- Write down important information by hand
- Take mental notes of directions while using GPS
- Create physical backup copies of crucial information
- Exercise your memory with puzzles and games
Related Terms
- Digital Wellness: The pursuit of balanced and healthy relationship with technology
- Digital Minimalism: Intentionally reducing digital tool usage to essential activities
- Digital Detox: Taking planned breaks from digital devices to reset habits and mental patterns