Internet addiction affects youth behavior and development, study finds

Young people with internet addiction experience changes in the brain that can lead to more behaviors and habits, finds a new study by UCL researchers.

Studies, published in PLOS Mental Healthreviewed 12 articles involving 237 youth aged 10-19 with an official diagnosis of internet addiction between 2013 and 2023.

Internet addiction is defined as a person’s inability to resist the urge to use the internet, negatively affecting their mental health, as well as their social, academic and professional life.

Studies have used magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the functional connectivity (how brain areas interact) of participants with internet addiction, while they are resting and completing a task.

The effects of internet addiction were seen in many neural networks in the brain of young people. There was a combination of increased and decreased activity in the parts of the brain used at rest (regular network mode).

Meanwhile, there was a general reduction in the coordination of activity in the parts of the brain involved in active thinking (the executive control network).

These changes were found to lead to addictive behaviors and tendencies in youth, as well as behavioral changes related to cognitive abilities, physical interaction, mental health and development.

Lead author, MSc student, Max Chang (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health) said, “Adolescence is an important developmental stage where people go through major changes in their lives, their cognition and personality are particularly vulnerable to Internet addiction-related urges at this time, such as compulsive Internet use, urges to use a mouse or keyboard, and media. destructive.

“The findings of our study show that this can lead to potentially negative behavioral and developmental changes that can affect young people’s lives. For example, they may have difficulty maintaining relationships and social activities, they lie about things that happen on the Internet and eat unusual foods and disturb sleep.

With smartphones and laptops becoming more widely available, internet addiction is a growing problem worldwide. Previous research has shown that people in the UK spend more than 24 hours a week online, and of those surveyed, more than half claim to be addicted to the internet. .

Meanwhile, Ofcom found that of the 50 million internet users in the UK, more than 60% said their internet use had a negative impact on their health – such as being late or neglecting household chores.

Senior author, Irene Lee (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), said, “There is no doubt that the internet has some benefits. However, when it starts to affect our daily lives , it’s a problem.

“We can advise that young people use reasonable time limits for their daily use of the Internet and make sure that they know the psychological and social consequences of spending too much time on the Internet.”

Mr. Chang added, “We hope that our research will show how internet addiction changes the relationship between brain networks in adolescence, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat early When online addiction is successful.

“Doctors can offer treatment to focus on other areas of the brain or suggest psychotherapy or family therapy that focuses on the main symptoms of Internet addiction.

“Importantly, the education of parents about internet addiction is another possible way to prevent the public health perspective. Parents who know the early signs and the onset of internet addiction will successfully deal with screen time, affect, and reduce risk factors associated with internet addiction.”

Limits to learning

Research on the use of fMRI imaging to investigate internet addiction is currently limited and studies had small samples of young people. They were also from Asian countries. Future studies should compare results from Western samples to provide more insight into treatment interventions.