Link Between Internet Addiction and Depression

There is a new study showing a correlation between high internet use and depression in teenagers.  The study was conducted in China where internet addiction is becoming a major problem.  It was found that teenagers who have a dependence for the internet are almost two times more likely to be diagnosed with depression.  The researchers studied 1,041 teenagers finding how much internet time the teens used and whether it was considered healthy or unhealthy.  They were given a survey that asked how often they felt depressed, anxious, or nervous and if these feelings went away when they got on the internet.  94% of the teenagers were not considered unhealthy internet users but 6% of the 1,041 teenagers were considered to be at risk.  Nine months later, the teenagers were at risk were one and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression. A reason that might explain this phenomenon is the fact that when one is addicted to the internet, they have less communication with people which can be an issue!  So the next time you want to spend all day on the internet, remember that this might not be such a good idea!