Google makes you sedentary: Study

In this technology driven world Google has become an important part of life. Most of us think of Google as a boon which comes up with instant results for a majority of our queries. A recent research done by University of Waterloo has noted how human brains have become sedentary with over usage of Google.

Research also pointed out that most people are less willing to rely on their knowledge and say they know something when they have access to the internet, suggesting that our connection to the web is affecting how we think.

"With the ubiquity of the internet, we are almost constantly connected to large amounts of information. And when that data is within reach, people seem less likely to rely on their own knowledge," said Professor Evan F. Risko from the University of Waterloo.

“Our brains are hard wired to think and sort out a solution. When an instant solution is provided to it we are suppressing the thought process of the brain which will slowly affect the thinking capability of humans” says Dr Sreenivas who is a general physician in a public owned hospital.

“Using Google is not harmful but overusing surely is; by using internet regularly most of the parents are setting a wrong example for their kids as their thought process is completely suppressed”, he adds. Vaishnavi Durai, a psychologist, feels that we are over- dependent on internet.

“Google is the best thing that has happened to human civilisation; it reduces the burden of many things. As other things it also has both positive and negative points but what most of us do not understand is it is completely dictating our decisions”.

“Someone who wants to buy a car searches for best cars in Google and the list provided by it will surely have an impact on our buying decision. It is not always a good choice to depend on Google but our lifestyles have made us completely dependent on the internet”, she regrets.

“We are not going to library to acquire knowledge as the slot has been filled by Google. Google is not always correct and what most of us do not know is not just Google in that case any other search engine provides us with the search results that are most popular which might not necessarily be apt”, says Prabha Naresh, a high school teacher who still prefers books over internet.

“Wrong information on internet might land up us in troubles, for example an unprescribed self- medication for a health ailment might be dangerous. Although it might be a convenient one, but may not be always right” adds Prabha.

However one of the interviewees had only good words for Google. “Google will help you in your research, homework and many more things. For youngsters it is Dr Google that has the answer for almost all of their queries. When you have mountains of information and want to sort out things then Google comes to your rescue. One important aspect while searching for things on internet is always to go to credible sources”, advises Prof Karnam Narendar who is a Mass Communication and journalism faculty from Osmania University.

By:Vaishnavi Girish