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Study shows link between Internet addiction and depression

By Staff Writer

As technology becomes more prevalent in society, many adults are worried that their teens cannot put down their smartphones or get off their computers. A new study indicates that this parental concern may be warranted. 

Professionals from Seattle Children's Research Institute recently conducted a study that indicates that many U.S. college students are addicted to the Internet. This may be problematic, as heavy web use is linked to depression in young adults.

These researchers asked 224 college students from two universities to take the Internet Addiction Test and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Approximately 4 percent of these adolescents scored in the occasional problem or addicted range on the Internet Addiction Test, making cyber dependencies more common than asthma on college campuses.

Results from the study also found that there is a significant connection between Internet addictions and moderate to severe depression. For this reason, researchers encourage the most vulnerable group of web users to seek intervention and treatment. College campuses, in particular, should consider developing preventative programs, they said.

Treatment may include enrolling in therapeutic schools. Faculty at these institutions are qualified to handle a large amount of teen addictions as well as mental and behavioral problems.  

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