Nowadays, the Internet plays a vital role in everybody’s lives. People use it daily to find answers to the most common questions, find a recipe, browse the nearby coffee shops, or order a book. Google is one of the biggest search engines and might give a billion responses to any kind of question. However, with the growing interest in the Internet, many researchers are concerned about whether online platforms, among which is Google, are beneficial or contribute to the lowering of literacy rates among people. One of the people who shared their opinion on this matter is Nicholas Carr, an American writer and author of the book The shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains.
In his book, Carr claims that Google and the Internet in general hurt people’s cognitive skills. According to the writer, the main factor that makes an individual intelligent is not the speed of finding information but the ability to synthesize and analyze the data by utilizing deep thinking skills (Carr). The author relies heavily on scientific data and asserts that deep thinking can occur only in a state of complete calmness. Thus, phones and the Internet contribute to people’s distraction, which later leads to their inability to comprehend information and have rich thoughts and opinions.
Another article also indicates the negative influence of Google in everyday life. The article says that information received via online search engines now reaches users faster than what people can recall from their memory (Walden University). As a result, people depend more on the data that can be found than on their thinking skills. Consequently, both gained and stored information become blurred, and other bits of the information might be forgotten.
However, different opinions might oppose the previously stated arguments. For example, researchers from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management claim that the Internet does not have a negative influence on people’s cognitive abilities, as many believe (University of Cincinnati). According to one of the researchers, Chemero, what cell phones and modern technology appear to accomplish instead is modifying how individuals utilize their innate cognitive capacities (University of Cincinnati). For example, Google might help an individual find the exact location of any given place. In this respect, the Internet, more specifically Google, might help people free their brain capacity for more vital information.
Another study corroborates the aforementioned argument but outlines both sides. Small et al. (2020) claim that misuse of technology exacerbates ADHD symptoms, impairs socioemotional skills, can escalate addictive disorders, promotes social isolation, and impairs brain development as well as sleep. Nevertheless, a group of scientists concluded that some Internet tools may provide intellectual exercises that engage neural connections, enhance cognitive performance, relieve stress, boost deep sleep, and provide other advantages. Thus, Google is harmless as long as the time of use is not too long.
Hence, various search engines and technology have both positive and negative influences. Some researchers believe that search engines like Google affect people’s cognitive skills, making them less intelligent due to the plethora of data that can be received in a matter of a second. However, others believe that technology and online platforms can serve as supplementary instruments that are effective at storing knowledge, and displaying information when needed. In my opinion, Google is a beneficial platform, and other emerging online platforms will help future generations adapt to the new reality and make their lives easier.
Works Cited
Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains. W. W. Norton, 2011.
Small, Gary W., et al. “Brain Health Consequences of Digital Technology Use.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, vol.22, no.2, 2020, pp.179-187.
University of Cincinnati. “Smart Technology is not Making us Dumber, Experts Say.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, Web.
Walden University. “How Is Modern Technology Affecting Human Development?” Walden University, Web.