Teens who spend far too much time on the Internet run the risk of developing depression, a new Australian study suggests. Since the 1990s, uncontrolled or unreasonable Internet use has been identified as a problem with signs similar to other addictions, researchers say. Pathological Internet use has been linked with relationship problems, health problems, aggressive behaviour and other psychiatric symptoms, they added. “Parents should be vigilant about their children’s online behaviour,” said lead researcher Lawrence T Lam, from the School of Medicine, Sydney, and the University of Notre Dame Australia.
“Should there be any concern about young people involving problematic Internet-use behaviour, professional help should be sought immediately. “This sort of behaviour may be a manifestation of some underlying problems that are more insidious,” Lam said.
“Given the results obtained from the study, even mentally healthy young people may succumb to depression after a long exposure of problematic use of the Internet. The mental health consequences of problematic Internet use for those who have already had a history of psychological or psychiatric problems would be more damaging,” he said.
At the start of the study, the researchers classified 6.2 percent of the teens as having a moderately pathological Internet problem and 0.2 percent as seriously at risk. Nine months later, the teens were reassessed for depression and anxiety. The researchers found 0.2 percent had symptoms of anxiety and 8.4 percent had become depressed. The risk of becoming depressed was 2.5 times higher among teens who were addicted to the Internet compared with those who were not, Lam and Peng found.
However, there had been no association between pathological Internet use and anxiety, they noted. “This study has a direct implication on the prevention of mental illness among young people,” Lam said.
“The results of the study indicated that young people who use the Internet pathologically are most at risk of mental problems and would develop depression when they continue with that behaviour.”
Early intervention and prevention that targets at-risk groups with identified risk factors is effective in reducing the burden of depression among young people, Lam added.