Just take a screenshot so you don’t forget anything. From restaurants you want to visit, interesting posts, or information you need later. That sounds useful, but researchers have come up with shocking news: You’re less likely to remember this information because of that screenshot.
Researchers at Binghamton University conducted seven experiments on what they called numerical memory loss. This suggests that capturing information with photos or screenshots may slow down our memory.
Take a screenshot? Then you don’t remember much
This phenomenon is called Photo barrier effect. Simply put: if you take a photo or screenshot of something, your ability to remember that information afterwards may not be as good as if you just looked at it. “There is consistent evidence that your memory of the information or event deteriorates if you take photos or screenshots during the experience,” explains researcher Sofia Fabrizio is alive.
This doesn’t mean that photos will necessarily damage your memory. If you consciously view these images again later, they can help you recall the memory and retain it longer. This is exactly the problem. We take a lot of photos and screenshots these days, many of which may never be seen again. Researchers estimate that people take about 20 photos every day, and the average smartphone has about 2,000 photos.
Why do screenshots make you forget?
How can pressing a button make you remember something worse? Researchers have several explanations for this. The first is distraction. When you take a screenshot or photo, you are capturing what you see. This action requires attention, which you would otherwise use to store information in your memory.
But that doesn’t seem to be a complete explanation. For example, memory effects persist even if subjects are given extra time to view a piece of art.
“My phone will remember it”
Another possible explanation is cognitive uninstall. Your brain knows the information is stored elsewhere, so it takes less effort to remember it. Think about phone numbers. In the past you might remember a few, but now you mainly know the name of someone in your address book.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that the memory effect occurred even when participants knew the photos they took would be immediately deleted. Simply knowing that information is stored externally doesn’t seem to explain everything.
right at this moment
That’s why researchers are also looking into a third possibility: taking a photo or screenshot ensures that you’re unconsciously detached from what you’re seeing at the time. This effect can even go further than the information you screenshot. For example, in experiments, participants didn’t quite remember whether they’d just seen a piece of art, or if they’d actually taken a screenshot of it.
Previous research in museums has also shown that people are less able to remember the location of photographed artworks.
What about pen and paper?
Researchers say if you really want to remember something, it’s best to try an old-fashioned method: writing. For example, when you take notes during a lecture, you must process the information, organize it, and determine what is important enough to write down. This mental work ensures better retention of information.
This is not guaranteed either. Do you write a birthday in your calendar and set three reminders at once? Then your brain may decide again that it no longer needs to remember the date itself.
You don’t have to swear off screenshots right away
Therefore, there is no need to completely clear the screenshots folder. Screenshots can certainly serve as reminders, as long as you make them aware and look back at them later. Therefore, it might be useful to save some important screenshots and actually view them. It’s probably far less likely to save hundreds of images that then disappear into memes, recipes, and holiday photos.
So maybe you should think twice before taking a screenshot of this article.
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