Adolescents with an internet addiction experience brain changes that may result in further addictive behaviors, according to a recent study by UCL researchers. The study, published in PLOS Mental Health, examined 12 articles that included 237 young people (aged 10-19) diagnosed with internet addiction between 2013 and 2023. Internet addiction is characterized by the inability to resist the urge to use the internet.The desire to engage in excessive internet use can have a detrimental impact on individuals’ mental health, as well as their social, academic, and professional lives. The research utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the functional connectivity of participants with internet addiction, both during rest and while performing a task. The consequences of internet addiction were evident across various neural networks in the brains of teenagers. There was a combination of heightened and reduced activity in areas of the brain that are typically active during rest (the default mode network).During this time, there was a general decrease in the brain’s ability to function in the areas related to active thinking, also known as the executive control network.
These alterations were discovered to result in addictive behaviors and inclinations in teenagers, along with changes in behavior related to intelligence, physical coordination, mental health, and growth.
The main author, Max Chang, an MSc student at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, stated: “Adolescence is a critical period of development in which individuals undergo significant changes in their biology, cognition, and personal.”The brain is at a high risk of developing internet addiction during adolescence, leading to compulsive internet usage, cravings for using the mouse or keyboard, and excessive media consumption. The impact of this addiction can result in negative behavioral and developmental changes in adolescents, affecting their ability to maintain relationships and social activities, leading to lying about online activity, irregular eating habits, and disrupted sleep patterns. The accessibility of smartphones and laptops has contributed to the growing problem of internet addiction.The UK has a high rate of internet usage, with people spending over 24 hours a week online. Of those surveyed, more than half reported being addicted to the internet. Ofcom found that over 60% of the 50 million internet users in the UK said that their internet usage had a negative impact on their lives, such as being late or neglecting chores. Irene Lee, a senior author at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, acknowledged the advantages of the internet but stressed that when it starts to affect daily life, it becomes a problem. She advised young people to be mindful of their internet usage.It is important for parents to set reasonable time limits on their children’s internet usage and educate them about the psychological and social effects of spending too much time online. Mr Chang emphasized the need for understanding how internet addiction affects brain connections in adolescents, so that doctors can better identify and treat the condition. This could involve targeted treatment for specific brain regions or recommending therapy to address key symptoms of internet addiction. Additionally, parental involvement is crucial in addressing this issue.l education on internet addiction is another potential approach to preventing it from a public health perspective. Parents who recognize the early signs and beginning of internet addiction will be better equipped to manage screen time, impulsivity, and reduce the risk factors associated with internet addiction.”
Limitations of the study
Research on the use of fMRI scans to study internet addiction is currently restricted and the studies involved small samples of adolescents. Additionally, they were mainly conducted in Asian countries. Future research should compare findings from Western samples to gain more insight into therapeutic interventions. rnrnn.
