Asevolutionary and adaptive biological beings, we often make the mistake of focusing on the facilities thattechnological advancesbring us to everyday life, losing habits and skills that begin aspracticalityand over time become disability.

Among the comforts and modifications that we have assumed over time, are theInternet and the Google search engine. This tool has definitely become everyone’sally, without being limited to being the immovable salvation of some individuals.

Even though it is considered in some cases asadaptation, the observation is made that we have been growing up remembering how to find information, but not always what it contains, since we consider that its availability is almost infinite.

In the following article, we will delve deeper into what is known as the Google effect, its features and the positive and negative impact it has had on our development.

What is the Google effect?

The Google effectis first defined byBetsy Sparrow and Jenny Liu as thecontinuous use of the Internetdecreasing the information retention capacity and obsolzing at some level the individual’s memory and storage abilities.

Note: The use of the tool constantly, hinders the conservation of data due to the ease of immediate consultations. In fact, in an article fromUniversiathey speak of a dependence on technology, due to the constant and indiscriminate use we give it. (1)

Features of the Google effect

This effect on our daily lives has certain characteristicsthat allow us to define and structure it in a better way. They will be exposed below for better understanding and identification.

It involves the assiduous search for information on the Internet

As we have described above, it is the use of theInternet as a memory drawer, since everything they need iswithin reach of a fastand efficient typing in the search engine.

It is used for even the simplest things, such as prescriptions, medication uses, correct spelling of a word, a simple mathematical operation, etc.

Involves the ability to find data

The use of keywords and correct , is always essential for Internet searches.

For this reason, there is the consideration that people have adapted to learning how to ask questions correctly, in order to obtain the information they need when they need it.

It involves transactive memory

It constitutes not memorizing the information

, as it is not an effort to access it again.

For that same reason, individuals have decided to discard them from their memory , get rid of the information and only remember where they can locate it again, if necessary.

Causes a decrease in mental effort

As we have been mentioning, the information that is usually retained is basically the steps to access the information.

Of course, we are referring in general terms to what this effect encompasses in many people, there are exceptions and the use of Web browsers to learn or retain necessary and interesting information.

Even so, the use of the Internet has decreased many other activities that produced greater retention, these would be:

  • Interest in books and comprehension ability
  • Decreased mental effort to obtain what we seek
  • decreased imagination

Even in Rest Forderest’s article, they refer to modifications in brain connections and adaptations in storage systems. (3)

Internet is conceived as an external hard drive

As we referred to in transactive memory, the use of the Internet and its search engines are factors that are considered as an external hard drive that can be accessed countless times, to obtain information and even to store their own.

Phone numbers, to-do notes, and many other ways to use this tool to make things easier.

It is presented by the easy access to the Internet

Thanks to the technological advances of the 21st century, they allow Internet access from almost all devices.

We recognize cell phones and smart phones as means of access , but as time goes by, new tools are born, such as: clocks with Internet access, and even smart refrigerators with search engines.

Positive impact of the Google effect

The Google effect, although it is defined from the beginning as a facility that produces disadvantages, also brings with it positive aspects . These will be mentioned below.

Ease of locating information

The ability to locate and obtain information is developed, in addition to the existing ease of search media.

So, although among its main characteristics is the decrease in retentive capacity , the improvement in the use of this type of tools stands out.

Immediate accessibility

Duet totechnological advances and the ease of its access , emphasis is placed on the fact that the information is obtained efficiently and immediately, so it is easy to realize that it is an incredible benefit due to its ease as a tool.

Time saving

Investigations, in pre-Internet times or during the familiarization process, were Quite complextag. Searching inbooks or dictionaries could even take a long time while accessing the correct material and finding the topic in question.

Note: The facility now is that everything is in one place: the search engine’s database. Even for obtaining guided directions (Google maps) or the latest news in the world (Google news).

Saving money

There is no need to buy books with updated versions, atlases, dictionaries, which means a decrease in expenses in accessing information that we may need constantly.

Development of creativity and rapid association

The Internet is often quite a useful toolfor creative minds, due to the amount of resources and information out there. In addition to that, among these resources is material that is used asmotivation or inspiration , also allowing the construction of more effective and simultaneous readings.

Note: Instant access produces Association of ideas quickly and efficiently for the comparison between the variety and the creation of a relevant criterion.

Negative impact of the Google effect

Like the positive effects, there are also negative impacts, which will be mentioned and described below.

Decreased memory capacity

Retention is minimal , precisely due to the easy and fast access that we can have to Internet resources, in search engines and with immediate efficiency.

Important: Roddy Roediger emphasizes the changes that are happening in the changes of learning strategies , precisely so that the enormous capacity of cognitive and retentive processes is not lost. is not lost.

For that same reason and the use of other tools such as a contact book, notepad, calculator, memory capacity decreasesand we only go to them to solve our doubts. Retention is minimal and we easily discard the information.

Difficulties finding information

Not everyone finds it easy to obtain information through the Internet in the same way , so for some people its isolation in this medium is a rather limiting disadvantage.

Reduced critical thinking

Sometimes everything on the Internet is believed, and sources are resolutely and permanently trusted, which creates a loss of judgment and unreliable dependency.

You should know: The Internet is vast, so Researching and Inquiring to collect information and create accurate opinions is much more recommendable than believing “everything that appears there.”

Decreased problem solving skills

The ease of finding a solution within reach of a click has limited people’s ingenuity and criteriatag. They don’t spend hours remembering the name of that artist, exercising their memory or practicing reading. It is easierto find everything on the Internet.

Important: Dependency is an available determination that we should not cling to, on the contrary, we should use it as a tool to strengthen our knowledge, since this will always be the best to offer.

Even people like Jaron Lanier , promoter of the Internet and Virtual Reality , make clear his position that the use of tools and social networks does not compensate for its benefits with all the disadvantages it brings, weakening even the truth and losing social independence.

Key Findings

  • The Google effect constitutes the continuous use of the Internet, reducing the capacity to retain information.
  • It involves the search for information, the ability to find data and transactive memory.
  • It has positive aspects such as easy access to information, saving time and money, as well as the development of creativity and rapid association.
  • Its negative aspects include reduced memory capacity, difficulties in finding information, reduced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

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