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You\u2019ve probably seen the reports<\/a> that suggest smartphones are not so great for your health. But new research suggests that using your phone can be good for you\u2014after a certain age.<\/p>\n The study, which was published in Nature Human Behavior<\/a>, found that older adults who regularly use smartphones have a lower rate of cognitive decline<\/a> than those who use them less often. That challenges the idea that smartphone use drives so-called \u201cdigital dementia,\u201d which suggests that long-term tech exposure may worsen cognitive abilities, and also raises questions about whether phone use might boost the cognitive health<\/a> of younger adults, too. Here\u2019s what you need to know. <\/p>\n Meet the experts<\/strong>: Amit Sachdev,<\/strong><\/a> MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. Michael Scullin<\/a>, PhD, is the study co-author and professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University. Clifford Segil,<\/a> DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.<\/p>\n What did the study find?<\/strong><\/p>\n For the study, researchers analyzed data from 57 previously published studies on technology use and cognitive health in more than 400,000 adults over 50 around the world. The average age of study participants was 69 and all of them had undergone a cognitive test or had a dementia diagnosis. <\/p>\n The researchers discovered that there was no evidence to suggest that using phones raises the risk of cognitive decline. But they did find a link between using a computer, phone, or tablet and a lower risk of cognitive impairment. <\/p>\n Specifically, people who used phones, computers, and tablets had a 42 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment and a 74 percent lower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who used them less or not at all. <\/p>\n Why might using phones over 50 be good for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n The study didn\u2019t dive into that\u2014it simply found a link between phone use in older adults and a lower risk of cognitive issues. But there are a few theories. <\/p>\n \u201cThe most likely explanation is that technically challenging tasks require learning,\u201d says Amit Sachdev,<\/a> MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. \u201cOne of the most significant strategies to reducing the risk of late life cognitive decline is the robustness of use of the brain in early and midlife.\u201d<\/p>\n Technology also requires using your brain in different ways, points out Clifford Segil,<\/a> DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. \u201cUsing technology requires [the use of multiple senses] from looking at the screen, understanding what is being shown or reading what is on the screen, processing this in your brain and then using eye-hand coordination to respond to what you are watching or doing,\u201d he says. \u201cUsing technology is a daily cognitive exercise and losing the ability to use your phone or email is similar to losing the ability to drive or care for your finances.\u201d<\/p>\n