In This Article

• Is TV harming your brain more than helping it?
• How tech use stimulates memory, problem-solving, and social ties
• The surprising benefits of learning new devices at any age
• Stories of older adults using tech to thrive
• How a few small changes can protect brain health

Why Aging Minds Need Smartphones More Than TV

Television was once the marvel of the modern age. Families gathered around to watch history unfold, including the moon landings, civil rights marches, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. But somewhere along the line, TV shifted from a communal event to an endless drip-feed of noise. Today, it’s often just background hum, the kind that dulls rather than sharpens the senses.

The problem isn’t just that TV is passive; it’s that it demands almost nothing from you. No problem-solving, no recall, no decision-making. In neurological terms, it’s the equivalent of letting your muscles atrophy by sitting in a chair all day. The brain, like the body, obeys the law of “use it or lose it.” And yet, millions of older adults spend more hours each day in front of a TV than they do engaging with any other medium. That’s like eating dessert for every meal and wondering why the body feels sluggish.

Why Technology Works Differently

Smartphones, the internet, and computers require something TV rarely does: interaction. Every tap, click, or swipe engages multiple areas of the brain, including visual processing, motor coordination, memory retrieval, and decision-making. Whether you’re emailing a friend, looking up a recipe, or video chatting with a grandchild, you’re forcing your brain to navigate, adapt, and process.

Learning to use new technology activates neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and strengthen new connections. This isn’t some abstract academic concept; it’s the difference between staying mentally flexible and becoming mentally brittle. Just as learning a new language or musical instrument can keep the brain youthful, mastering a new app or device offers similar benefits.

The Historical Lesson We Keep Ignoring

History offers endless examples of societies that adapted and thrived, and those that didn’t. With the emergence of the printing press, those who adopted it gained unprecedented access to knowledge. Those who resisted, clinging to the old ways of oral tradition alone, were left behind in the great leap forward of human learning. In the 21st century, resisting technology can have the same effect on the individual mind as it did on entire civilizations: it narrows your world and limits your reach.

Imagine a medieval scribe who refuses to touch a printing press because “it’s not real writing.” That’s what rejecting smartphones or the internet in favor of TV alone looks like today. One keeps you connected to the living, evolving world; the other locks you in yesterday’s reruns.

Science Is Pretty Clear on This One

Research consistently shows that active engagement, whether mental, physical, or social, slows cognitive decline. Studies comparing TV watching to computer use in older adults found a stark difference: those who used technology regularly maintained better memory, attention, and processing speed. TV, on the other hand, showed no protective effect against cognitive decline. If anything, excessive viewing was linked to faster deterioration.

This isn’t to demonize TV. It has its place, just as dessert has its place in a healthy diet. The issue is when it becomes the primary source of daily mental stimulation. Your brain needs a balanced diet of activities, reading, problem-solving, social interaction, and yes, technology use.

Real Stories, Real Benefits

Take Martha, 78, who decided to learn online banking after her local branch closed. At first, she struggled with passwords and navigation, but over time, she became proficient in the process. Now she manages her finances, orders groceries, and even books her medical appointments online. What began as a necessity turned into empowerment, and her family noticed that she seemed sharper and more confident, a testament to the transformative power of technology.

Or consider James, 82, who started playing online chess with strangers around the world. He had to remember strategies, adapt to different playing styles, and interact socially in the chat. That combination of memory, problem-solving, and social engagement is precisely what researchers recommend for brain health. His TV still works, but it spends more time gathering dust than collecting his attention.

Overcoming the Fear Factor

One of the biggest hurdles older adults face with technology isn’t ability, it’s fear. Fear of breaking something. Fear of looking foolish. Fear of scams. Ironically, those fears often keep people more vulnerable. A person who learns to use email and online security tools is far less likely to fall for scams than someone who avoids technology altogether.

It’s worth noting that tech adoption doesn’t have to mean spending all day on a smartphone. Even a few minutes a day, such as sending a message, reading an article, or looking up a new hobby, can make a difference. The key is to turn technology into a tool, not a tyrant.

Tech as a Bridge

Here’s where the conversation quietly shifts. Technology isn’t just about keeping neurons firing; it’s a bridge to something bigger: connection, relevance, purpose. When you text a grandchild, join an online community, or share photos with friends, you’re not just exercising your brain; you’re reinforcing your place in the world. That sense of belonging is just as crucial for mental health as any crossword puzzle or memory game, and technology can be a powerful tool in combating isolation.

And perhaps that’s the real danger of relying solely on TV. It keeps you entertained, but it doesn’t keep you involved. It doesn’t ask anything of you, and over time, that lack of involvement can lead to isolation. Isolation, in fact, is the real enemy of aging well.

Small Steps, Big Payoff

Switching from passive to active screen time doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Start with one app, one skill, one small daily habit. Learn to video chat, look up local events, or try a beginner-friendly game that challenges your memory or coordination. Think of it as adding mental “exercise snacks” to your day, brief bursts of activity that, over time, add up to real strength.

Just as walking 15 minutes a day won’t make you an Olympic athlete but will make you healthier, a little daily tech engagement can keep your brain nimble enough to meet life’s challenges. The trick is consistency. Don’t just “try” technology, use it, practice it, and let it become a natural extension of your life.

Television will always have its place. But if brain health is the goal, then the remote should be a side dish, not the main course. The tools for sharper aging minds are already in your hands, or at least, in the nearest drawer where you shoved that smartphone you never quite figured out. Maybe it’s time to dust it off and give your neurons the workout they’ve been waiting for.

About the Author

Robert Jennings is the co-publisher of InnerSelf.com, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering a more connected, equitable world. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, Robert draws on his diverse life experiences, from working in real estate and construction to building InnerSelf with his wife, Marie T. Russell, to bring a practical, grounded perspective to life’s challenges. Founded in 1996, InnerSelf.com shares insights to help people make informed, meaningful choices for themselves and the planet. More than 30 years later, InnerSelf continues to inspire clarity and empowerment.

 Creative Commons 4.0

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License. Attribute the author Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com. Link back to the article This article originally appeared on InnerSelf.com

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Article Recap

For aging minds, technology use offers a sharper, more engaged path to brain health than TV. By embracing interactive tools like smartphones and the internet, older adults can boost memory, foster social ties, and maintain cognitive strength, proving it’s never too late to adapt and thrive.

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