Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 29: Once seen as a disorder of old age, dementia appears to have found a digital-age equivalent among children. Experts are warning of a worrying new trend dubbed “digital dementia”, where young people are increasingly struggling with memory and concentration due to excessive use of smartphones.

Doctors, psychologists and educators are observing signs of forgetfulness, poor recall, and shortened attention spans among children who spend long hours on digital devices. Many are unable to remember simple sequences in a story, retain information from one day to the next, or recall even their parents’ phone numbers.

 
Representational image

“We’re seeing forgetfulness, poor concentration in school, difficulty retaining information, slower thinking, and even social withdrawal in children,” said Dr Ravi Kumar C P, consultant, Paediatric Neurology at Aster CMI Hospital.

He pointed to fast-paced digital content and constant notifications as key contributors, noting that children’s brains are being conditioned for instant gratification rather than deep focus. “In cities where tech exposure is high and digital learning has become widespread after the pandemic, these patterns are becoming increasingly evident,” he added.

Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, professor of Clinical Psychology and director of the Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) Clinic, explained how early and constant exposure to smartphones is disrupting the brain’s natural memory development process.

“Memory building happens in stages — it starts with sensory memory from direct real-world interaction like touching, seeing and hearing. This information then moves into short-term memory, and with repetition and engagement, eventually becomes long-term memory,” Dr Sharma said.

He warned that this process requires active mental involvement, which is now being bypassed. “Instead of paying attention, children take photos or screenshots and forget about them. They are outsourcing memory to their devices, weakening the brain’s natural ability to store and recall,” he said.

As a result, children are increasingly unable to remember phone numbers, directions, or landmarks — even after travelling the same route several times. This indicates a lack of spatial memory development and suggests children are not forming mental maps of their surroundings, which is essential for orientation and navigation.

Teachers and parents are also reporting gaps in learning retention. Children often fail to connect one day’s lessons with the next, struggle with storytelling, and display impatience or restlessness when not stimulated by fast-moving content.

With smartphones becoming both an entertainment and educational tool, especially since the pandemic, experts are urging a more balanced approach to digital exposure. They recommend reducing screen time and encouraging real-world interaction through play, reading, puzzles, and conversation to help restore attention span and memory strength.

The emerging phenomenon of "digital dementia" highlights how lifestyle habits — not learning disorders — may be impairing young minds. As this trend grows, doctors say it is time for parents and educators to act before cognitive decline becomes the new norm in childhood.