TECHNOLOGY

ARE SMART DEVICES TRULY MAKING US LESS SMART??

6th APRIL 2025 / LILIA MCPHEE/ LEAVE A COMMENT

The use of technology has grown massively over the past decade. Did you know that over 90% of the global population own at least one smart device? It’s no surprise really considering how fast innovation is moving. These smart devices we own like our mobile phones , smart watches and even smart fridges are designed to make our life more simple , faster and bring us more connected to one another.

But here lies the big questions … are these smart devices the downfall for us as humans? making us lazy , distracted and less capable to think for ourselves.

Credit: Eli Savage, Staff Illustrator

In this blog we will focus in on the ups and downs of the digital world , the impact it has posed on human intelligence and what can be done to reverse the negative side effects that have come from the use of these devices.

How smart devices have evolved us in a positive way 📈

Advancements in technology which has led to the reign of smart devices has really helped evolve the world . Below are three key areas in which they have enhanced human capability.

Instant information ℹ️ – The use of the Internet and AI access has helped humans to gain information in lightning speed . Speeding up processes such as gathering information for assignments, work projects or just general knowledge.

Connection globally 🌍 – Having facilities like FaceTime , Skype and social media has helped people to stay connected wherever and no matter the distance.

Safety and awareness⚠️ – Innovations in smart technology gave improved safety for the public. For example, phones can now detect earthquakes , send weather alerts and track a persons location via apps like life360. Having these facilities has helped to keep people safer and spread word of danger in a more efficient way.

Although while this may all sound like sunshine and rainbows there are big issues that have followed from these smart devices….

The Dark side 📉

Some of the key negatives of using these smart devices are…

Dependency 🤖 – With frequent use of these smart devices people have forgot how to think for themselves which is a result from having access to pretty much anything at your fingertips. For example, google and now the likes of chatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can answer questions at a fast pace. This has also been proven to have effects on users memory and retention from these new tools and features on smart devices people no long feel the need to hold so much information or remember it like they used to.

🧠 would you say you rely too much on your devices for simple information that you already know but you are just too lazy to retain this information?

Attention span 🚨 – Humans attention span has lowered dramatically over the last decade as a result of technology and social media in the 2000 it was recorded that the average attention span for an adult was 12 seconds however it recent years it has fallen to 8.25 seconds being lower than a goldfish at 9 seconds.

🧪 Why not find out your own individual attention span through The attention span test .

Losing our ability to think critically 💭 – we often accept the first thing we see as a fact falling victim to things we hear and see on our smart devices , like social media and scare mongering from fake news shared online through our smart devices.

“Personally, I relate with the issues touched on above having grown up with smart devices myself. They’ve been both a blessing and a drawback in various aspects of life. Looking back on my childhood, one of my first smart devices was a Nintendo DS. I believe this hindered with my ability to socialise with others during a crucial stage of development as a young person which is something that has followed me into my adult life”.

Watch this short video to see another person’s take on the decline smart devices are having on us…

Source: YouTube, CBS Sunday Morning

Mental and physical health decline

Despite making us less smart it also has detrimental impacts on a person health both physically and mentally through sleep , anxiety and social aspects read here for more.

Credit: Aesthetic Apparatus

What can we do?

so how can we reverse these effects before it’s too late ..

Designated No tech time 📵
Set Screen time limits ⏰
Create designated Tech free areas in your living spaces like bedrooms and dinner tables while eating. This can help with sleep and being present in the moment rather than having the distraction of your phone , laptop, tv and social media. 🧘‍♀️

All these practices are a form of digital detox and mindfulness take a further look into what this really means for you and the benefits of this bellow .

source: YouTube, Bupa Health

Final thoughts …

Mokokoma Mokhonoana once said…

“Some devices are smart, unlike their owners.”
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Let’s change this….

Finding a smart way of using your digital devices could be the reinvention of the smarter YOU 🫵. Remember that when you next go to grab them!

The development in these smart devices has advanced us but this has come with implications on the way we think. The goal is not to fall backwards but instead implement balance by becoming more aware of these issues and work smarter around them.

So the real question isn’t are smart devices making us less smart as a matter of fact its can we outsmart our smart devices?

Striking a healthy balance of using these devices to enhance and not replace our thinking we really can have the best of both worlds.

Credit: Verywell , Laura Porter

As we come to the end of this why not challenge yourself to a full hour today completely tech free and with that, I mean Everything…. Use this time to reconnect with the real world through tasks like reading , drawing , going for a walk or having a genuine face to face conversation with someone.

Then reflect… and ask yourself….

Did you feel more focused ? 🧠
Would you do this again? 🔁
Were you tempted in any way to pick up your phone or any other smart device? 🤳

Leave a comment and share this experience! If you participated in something different from the suggestions above let others know in the comments with the hopes to inspire ideas for future tech free hours. And if you completed the attention span test go ahead and compare your scores bellow.

17th April 2026

Posted by Olivia Gregory

Lets be real – university life is expensive. Between textbooks, rent, social nights and the occasional cheeky takeaway, budgeting becomes an extreme sport. Add trying to eat healthy on top of that? You might feel like it’s impossible. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to sacrifice your health to stick to a student budget.

Why Nutrition Matters for Students

University life can be demanding – a whirlwind of lectures, deadlines, social events and part-time jobs. Amid all this, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of eating well. Research consistently shows that good nutrition is directly linked to academic performance, mental health and physical well-being – all of which are vital for student success.

Nutrition Supports:

Cognitive Performance: The brain consumes about 20% of the body’s energy, so it’s no surprise that what you eat affects how well you think (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008).
Mental Health: Eating high-quality food nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress (Selhub, 2022).
Energy and Physical Health: Students who regularly skip meals or rely heavily on takeaways often experience irregular energy levels, poor sleep, and a higher chance of illness (Pengpid and Peltzer, 2020).

Long days of lectures, commutes or part-time jobs demand physical stamina. Nutrient-rich foods help (NHS Health Scotland, 2023):

Stabilise blood sugar, reducing energy crashes.
Support immune health, reducing the risk of illness after freshers week!
Improve sleep quality, which is essential for memory consolidation

Perhaps most importantly, university is often the first time students take full control of their own diet. The habits you form now can last into adulthood, influencing your long-term health, risk of chronic disease and relationship with food.

The £20 Breakdown:

Estimated prices based on Lidl UK (2023):

Category	Item Examples	Approximate Cost
Grains & Carbs	Oats (£1.25), Pasta (£0.75), Rice (£1.29), Bread (£0.79), Frozen Jacket potatoes (4-pack-£1.25)	£5.33
Protein Sources	Bananas (£1), Apples (£1.25), Frozen Veg (£1.65), Tinned Tomatoes (2x £0.40)	£4.70
Fruit & Veg	6 Eggs (£1.29), Tinned Chickpeas (2x £0.40), Greek Yoghurt (£1.69), Chicken Thighs (500g – £2.49), Minced Beef (500g – £2.79)	£9.05
Pantry Staples	Peanut Butter (£1.29), Oil (£1.25), Baked Beans (2x £0.40), Spices (£1)	£3.94
Total		£22.32

Note: While this slightly exceeds the £20 goal by £2, you can bring it back under budget by:

Swapping Greek yoghurt for a cheaper plain yoghurt.
Buying smaller meat portions or skipping mince.
Dropping optional extras like peanut butter.

Sample 3 – Day Meal Plan

Here’s a realistic, easy-to-cook plan for students:

Day 1:

Breakfast: Overnight oats with banana and peanut butter.

Lunch: Boil pasta and mix with tinned chickpeas and tomatoes. Add garlic or mixed herbs.

Dinner: Pan-fry chicken thighs with oil, garlic and herbs, serve with rice and veg.

Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2016)

Day 2:

Breakfast: Greek yoghurt with chopped apple and cinnamon.

Lunch: Use leftover chicken and rice in a wrap or with bread.

Dinner: Beef mince stir-fry. Cook mince beef with frozen veg and soy sauce or paprika. Serve with rice or pasta.

Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2016b)

Day 3:

Breakfast: Peanut butter toast with banana.

Lunch: Veggie omelette with toast. Just 2 eggs + frozen veg = power lunch.

Dinner: Jacket potato with baked beans and cheese (optional).

Picture Source: (PixaBay, 2020)

Best Places to Shop for Students

Lidl or Aldi – Budget-friendly staples and meat.
Tesco Everyday Value / Asda Smart Price – Affordable store brands.
Local Markets – Cheap fruit and veg (especially near closing time).
Pound Shops / Home Bargains – Good for spices, kitchen tools or tinned goods.

Tip: Sign up to loyalty cards (e.g., Tesco Clubcard) for more deals and always bring your own carrier bags!

Save More with Meal Prep & Smart Swaps

Meal Prep Tips:

Plan Ahead: Know what you’re eating before you’re starving.

Batch Cook: Make dinner, save half for lunch the next day.

Freeze Leftovers: Works well with pasta, curry, soup and rice.

Picture Source: (Dreamdecko, 2025).

Ingredient Swaps:

Use lentils to bulk out mince.
No lentils? Use chickpeas or beans.
Alternate meat days with plant-based protein like eggs or beans.
Buy cheaper cuts like drumsticks or chicken thighs.

Cooking doesn’t need to be perfect – it just needs to work for you.

Bonus: Mindful Eating = Better Living

It’s not just about eating cheap – it’s about feeling better. Cooking your own meals:

Reduces stress
Helps you focus
Saves you money
Builds confidence

If you can prep a week’s worth of healthy food for £20 now, imagine what you can do with a full-time salary later.

Tip: Try pairing your meals with a short walk, water bottle refills, and decent sleep. Small Changes = Big Wins!

Student Voices

“Meal prepping saved me at least £15 a week compared to eating out! Now I find it easier to save money to spend on things I enjoy”
– Josh, 2nd Year Psychology Student
“I Stopped skipping meals once I knew I had food ready in the fridge. Meal prepping helped me become more organised and less stressed”
– Amelia, Final Year Nursing Student
“I used to skip breakfast to save time and money, but once I started prepping overnight oats, I noticed I had more energy for my 9am lectures”
– Cameron, Third Year Physio Student

Try this £20 Meal Plan This Week!

Want to see how far your food budget can stretch? Try this 3-day plan and tag your creations with #StudentFuelChallenge. Let’s normalise healthy eating on a student budget.

Question for the readers: What’s your go-to cheap and healthy meal at uni? Drop it in the comments below!

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Are Smart devices truly making us less smart???