Cognitive impacts of learning and using digital technology in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

= 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.19]) compared with control conditions. These results suggest that digital exposure leads to cognitive benefits. However, the evidence is preliminary because the magnitude of the effect is small with substantial heterogeneity (95% Prediction interval [-0.31, 0.53]), and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Therefore, the practical implications of relying on digital exposure to prevent cognitive decline in the absence of structured programs or targeted interventions are limited. Future research needs to include granular, objectively quantified use metrics and incorporate psychosocial mediators to uncover the underlying mechanism of the observed benefit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).