Massive rise in dementia linked to screen use

November 22, 2025

On 14 November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, overtaking heart disease, and that dementia deaths have risen by 39% in the last decade.1

And it’s not just older people who are affected.

According to neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams, there has been a massive increase in dementia rates in much younger people. His data shows:

  • a 400% increase in dementia for ages 30-44
  • a 300% increase in dementia for ages 45-54
  • a 140% increase in dementia for ages 55-65.2

     

Williams says there are now around 30,000 Australians with early onset dementia and possibly many people in their twenties and thirties who haven’t been diagnosed yet.2

Why the huge surge in dementia, particularly in young people?

Williams believes its related to people’s use of screen devices. He told The Advertiser, ‘…it is because of the fact that we are no longer using our brains the same way we used to. We don't need to calculate anymore. We don't have to consider anymore. We don't have to argue with people anymore. We don't have to connect with people anymore in the real world. What is going to happen with the 10- to 20-year-olds who've spent their whole lives on devices? What is going to happen in 10, 15, or 20 years time?3

Australians are spending more time than ever on screens. According to research published earlier this year, they’re spending a massive 6 hours a day on social media; 3 hours a day on video games, 3 hours a day on news and magazines, 2 hours a day on podcasts and audiobooks and 7 hours a day listening to music and radio.4

Kel Richards, author and broadcaster said, ‘Parents have got to stop using screens as babysitters. So you don’t put a game on your phone & give it to your toddler to keep your toddler quiet. It is destroying their brain.’5

What do you think? Does this motivate you to reduce your use of screen devices?

  1. Dementia is Australia’s leading cause of death, ABS,
  2. Dementia up 400% in young people – now Australia’s leading cause of death, 17.11.25
  3. The Advertiser,
  4. Redsearch, Phone Screen Time Statistics Australia and Global (2025)
  5. Sky news: Growing number of young people staring down the barrel of dementia diagnosis. 

     

To reproduce this article for your network, please include the following text: Article reproduced with permission from EMR Australia, www.emraustralia.com.au

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