The dark side of night mode
Device users been turning to the dark side in droves – more than 80% of us are estimated to use night mode on our phones and computers. Those who choose it say it reduces eye strain and conserves battery life, plus they prefer how it looks. But research into the effect of dark mode on brain function has found that its use can impair our cognitive performance.
Study participants completed a series of non-verbal tasks – to allow for culturally and linguistically diverse groups – that examined the problem-solving skills needed for daily activities. People scored higher when questions were presented in light mode, irrespective of age or gender.
The study, published in Behaviour and Information Technology, states: “This lends support to the notion that light modes confer several positive aspects and advantages to users, such as facilitating key information retrieval and enhancing word verification. Advantages include a lower cognitive load and faster performance when searching for information.”
Light mode “typically features brighter backgrounds and darker text… which can enhance contrast and reduce eye strain”. The research added: “This study suggests prioritising readability, clarity and contrast when designing background modes.”
The study – the first of its kind to examine the influence of background colour in applications – noted age-related differences, with younger adults (18-25) consistently outperforming older participants, regardless of using light or dark mode. It was also observed that women prefer light mode, while men “indicated satisfaction with both”. The researchers state that “females may be more sensitive to variations in brightness and contrast.”