Are smart devices making us too dependent on technology?

With the advent of the computer, problem solving reduced in the younger generation immediately. They became too dependent on the computer and other devices to help them solve problems instead of using good old brain power. With the addition of AI and smart technology, it's made it worse. Kids don't know how to use a cash register without the aid of a computer. They never learned to count back money. They also don't know how to tell time on a regular clock. Everything is digital. I saw that in my grandchildren. I asked my grandson what time it was on a standard clock, and he didn't know. I don't know how old you are or what generation you're in, but it was better before computers when it came to problem solving. If kids had those same skills today, they would be much better off. That's not to say computers and technology are bad, it's great. It's just not good with kids and problem solving.

I am suspicious of starting to have symptom of digital dementia now.

I agree with you. Today the smart devices are very advanced and it can help us a lot. However, it also has its own disadvantages. That's we depend on them so much and we are lack of outoor activities and real social relationship.

It would depend on the "smart device" to which you're refering to. Most smart devices do bare bones basic tasks, like turning on a light, or making sure you're up on time. They don't take away critical thinking skills, because they aren't designed to replace more complex thinking tasks. For example, having a smart speaker have an alarm set, is a good use of a smart device. Instead on relying on your memory, to set your alarm everyday. you set it up according to your schedule. In this way, it keeps you on time, and reduces the number of tasks, by one, you have to remember to do. Now if someone's relying on something like ChatGPT or something, that's AI and not a smart device. AI does interfere with problem solving and critical thinking, as it generates answers for us. But, again, it's in how it's used. For example, you can look up a recipie, you still have to follow instructions but, by having them read to you for example, you don't have to stop what you're doing to read over the instructions. By hearing them, you also have less risk of misunderstanding something. If you ask for turn-by-turn directions, you still need to know where you are starting from and where you're going. Now if you ask AI to sumerize something for you, write a report, short story, etc.... then those tasks can interfere with problem solving and critical thinking. Don't forget, a smart plug, speaker or light bulb can fail. So problem solving skills, are still required to troubleshoot failures. The problem isn't "smart technology" in and of itself, but how modorn parents are teaching their children.

My smartphone is super handy, but I'm still going to keep maps in the car.

i agree. it makes us too dependent and clingy a bit.

I think it does. I think we also rely on the technology to be correct instead of looking for answers ourselves or even using common sense.