Screen Technologies and Cognitive Development

08 September 2018

SCREEN TECHNOLOGIES AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 1
Today almost every aspect of human lives is controlled by one more of the screen
technologies such as mobiles, laptops, tablets and more. The emergence of the technological
innovations affects the brains, emotions and behaviour and the overall lives of the humans, in
both positive and the negative ways. Cognitive development refers to the development of
brain and learning; and the development of the higher-level functions such as knowledge,
skills, problem-solving, learning, and dispositions, from childhood through adolescence to
adulthood. The said development enables the individuals to perceive and understand the
world around them. The essay is aimed at exploring the various aspects of the impact of the
screen technologies on the human cognitive development. The essay also presents an insight
of the role of the brain plasticity in the cognitive development.
Humans today are surrounded by the technology such that it has been deeply integrated into
their daily lives. Neuroplasticity, or the brain plasticity, refers to the ability of the brain to
change with learning. The human brain has a significant ability to form new connections
between the brain cells, also called the neurons, and accordingly change occurs throughout
the lives of the human beings. According to the professor Susan Greenfield, the brain is
malleable and keeps on evolving and developing in response to outside stimuli and
experiences ("Modern technology is changing the way our brains work, says neuroscientist"
2018)
In support of the argument to the positive effects of the technology on the human brain, the
researchers have found that video game training enhanced the cognitive control in the older
adults (Anguera et al. 2013). In the event of multitasking activities, the adults are naturally
found to have the reduced capacity with the age. However, the games such as the adaptive
version of NeuroRacer in multitasking training mode indicated the reduced multitasking
costs. Moreover, the training led to various performance benefits such as the enhanced