Researchers from New York University report that habitual internet use is associated with a lower risk of dementia among older adults. The findings come from a study involving over 18,000 adults aged 50 to 64.9 without dementia at the start, tracked over a follow-up period during which about 4.68% received a dementia diagnosis. The data show that consistent internet engagement reduces dementia risk by roughly half compared with infrequent use, and this pattern held steady across education levels, races, genders, and age groups. Those who accessed the internet for six to twelve minutes daily exhibited the lowest dementia risk. The researchers explained that online interaction may strengthen cognitive reserve, a buffer against brain aging that helps preserve mental function. The study also cautioned that excessive internet use could have negative effects that future work should explore to better understand any tradeoffs.
