Seniors show worse screen habits than teens, raising dementia and scam risks

Older adults are showing more concerning digital habits than teens, with 90% of Americans over 50 now on social media and seniors over 65 spending 104 minutes daily on platforms, raising alarms about cognitive risks. Experts note older users are less aware of algorithms and more susceptible to misinformation, with boomers 5 to 10 times more likely to share partisan content. Research links heavy screen use to poorer memory and higher dementia risk, while AI-enhanced scams have devastated some seniors financially. Passive consumption may displace enriching activities, and older brains require more stimulation for reward, making short-form content potentially more addictive. Experts call for intergenerational conversations about these emerging risks.