Internet addiction affects cognitive functions and the development of the younger generation.
A new study, published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, revealed an interesting link between internet addiction in teenagers and disruptions in brain function. Researchers found that adolescents diagnosed with internet addiction exhibit impaired signal transmission between brain areas responsible for attention control and working memory.
This finding helps explain why many teenagers overly engrossed in social media and the internet struggle to concentrate on more important tasks, such as doing homework or communicating with loved ones. Disruptions in the functioning of these key brain areas can lead to distractibility and difficulties focusing on priority tasks, writes securitylab.
The study emphasizes the importance of reasonable internet and social media use during adolescence, a critical period of brain development. Excessive immersion in the virtual world can negatively impact the formation of cognitive skills and the ability to focus on real tasks. It is essential to find a balance and devote enough time to other activities that promote the development of attention and memory.
The authors of the study, having analyzed 12 neuroimaging studies involving several hundred adolescents aged 10 to 19 from 2013 to 2022, stated: "Behavioral addiction caused by excessive internet use has become an increasing source of concern over the past decade."
Digital control is inevitable. Instructions on how to maintain freedom. Follow us In their research, scientists examined the clinical diagnostic criteria for internet addiction, which include a number of alarming signs. One of them is constant preoccupation with the internet, where a person's thoughts are literally "tied" to the virtual space. Another symptom is the manifestation of withdrawal syndrome in the absence of internet access, expressed in irritability, anxiety, or other negative reactions.
Moreover, internet addiction can lead to individuals sacrificing real relationships and social connections for prolonged time spent online. As Max Chang, the lead author of the study, explains, such pathological behavior causes suffering and a significant decline in the individual's quality of life.
Excessive internet use can indeed distract teenagers from their responsibilities, studies, and other important activities. However, particular concern arises when this fascination escalates into an addiction that disrupts normal functioning and leads to serious negative consequences in a young person's life. Timely identification and professional help in such situations are crucial for overcoming internet addiction and restoring a healthy balance in a teenager's life.
Given that teenagers' brains differ from adults' brains, understanding the impact of internet addiction on adolescents' brains is vital. Participants in the study diagnosed with internet addiction showed significant disruptions in brain areas during tasks related to attention, planning, and impulse control compared to their peers without addiction. This may indicate that such behavioral functions become more complex, affecting the development and well-being of adolescents.
However, Dr. David Ellis from the University of Bath noted that it is impossible to establish causality from these studies. He emphasized that the concept of internet addiction is not widely recognized and diagnosed using the tools employed in these studies.
In the U.S., internet addiction is not included in the DSM-V — the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used by mental health professionals. However, it mentions a disorder related to internet gaming. All studies were conducted in Asia, primarily involving boys. China became the first country to declare internet addiction a "public health crisis."
If it is confirmed that internet addiction causes disruptions in signal transmission in the brain, the cause may be related to neural pathways associated with addictions. The patterns of functional connectivity in the brains of study participants are similar to those observed in individuals with substance addiction.
Max Chang added that internet addiction rewires the brain, making it less resilient to internet stimuli, and that the balance between the benefits and dangers of the internet becomes increasingly important in adolescent development.
Recommendations for parents include helping teenagers find activities outside the internet and using behavioral strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. In severe cases, medication may be prescribed.
