Older adults who regularly use the internet have half the risk of dementia compared to non-regular users::A longitudinal study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that older adults who regularly use the internet have about half the risk of developing dementia compared to non-users, even after adjusting for various factors. The ideal amount of internet usage associated with the lowest dementia risk is between 6 minutes and 2 hours daily, with risks rising for those not using the internet at all and those using it for more than 2 hours daily. …

    • kameecoding@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      probably correlation to what they use it for, I am gonna go out on a limb and say those who use it more participate in more, let’s say doomscrolling.

      I reckon if you do a controlled study of longer usage for stuff like sudoku and other brain teasers you wouldn’t see the numbers rise after 2 hours, but would probably rise at a higher number when it starts affecting their physical activity levels

    • qooqie@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      As others have taken guesses I will too. I think it’s along the lines of not being lonely, so if they get a sense of community from the internet they’re good. However, using the internet or social media more is typically associated with depression or loneliness.

  • whitecapstromgard@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    Which way is the causal connection? Do they have less risk of dementia because they use the internet, or do they use the internet because their cognitive skills are better?