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Parent Category: Advanced News Lessons

Category: Science and Technology

Written by Chris Cotter

Are cell phones dumbing down the human race? According to a new study out of Britain, the answer is a definitive "yes." Too much reliance on technology has reduced our brain power, and it's measurable.

Professor Ian Robertson of Trinity College Dublin carried out the study. His research revealed that most citizens in Britain have to remember five passwords, five pin numbers, two number plates, three security ID numbers, and three bank account numbers--quite a lot to just maneuver through life on a daily basis! To get around this, most people use only one or two passwords. This posespotential security breaches for the average person, but also highlights what many people expressed as "information overload." Cell phones, Blackberries, and other memory devices offer a solution to all the numbers and codes the average person has to remember. But Robertson stated that people are relying too much on devices for their memory. And the less you use your memory, the poorer it becomes.

The study discovered that one quarter of all Britons couldn't give their home phone number when asked. What's more, only a third of those surveyed could remember more than three birthdays of their immediate family members.

The study broke down the figures into age groups, providing some clear results. About one third under the age of 30 couldn't recall their home phone numbers without resorting to a cell phone or other device. In the same age bracket, only 40% could provide important dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries, for family members. For those over 50, 87% could remember details on family. The study also indicated that 58% incorrectly believed it possible to remember the myriad of numbers and codes they use every day.