Can Internet addiction damage the brains of young Internet users? This is indicated by a study published Tuesday June 4, 2024 in the journal PLOS Mental Health . Researchers have found that Internet addiction can lead to chemical changes that could alter the functioning of adolescents’ brains, reports The Guardian in an article relayed by BFMTV .
Change in behavior
After reviewing twelve previous studies involving young people aged 10 to 19, scientists concluded that this Internet addiction could impact young people’s memory and decision-making ability. In question ? An overall decrease in functional connectivity in parts of the brain involved in active thinking. Researchers have also cited behavioral changes related to mental health, development, intellectual abilities and physical coordination.
“The results of our study show that this can lead to negative changes that could impact adolescents’ lives. For example, they may have difficulty maintaining relationships and social activities, lie about their online activities, have irregular diets and disrupted sleep.summarized Max Chang, the lead author of this study.
Parental education
According to the researcher, these changes in brain chemistry caused by addiction act like a vicious cycle since they in turn lead to addictive tendencies in adolescents. “Therefore, the brain is particularly vulnerable to the needs of Internet addiction during this time, such as compulsive Internet use, the urge to use the mouse or keyboard, and consuming media »he continued.
The researcher is now calling on parents to get involved as much as possible to limit these risks of dependence. “Parents aware of the early signs and onset of Internet addiction will more effectively manage screen time, impulsivity and minimize risk factors”he indicated. “There is no doubt that the Internet has certain advantages. However, when it starts to affect our daily lives, it poses a problem”, added Irene Lee, one of the authors of the report. In a survey carried out at the start of the year and relayed by The Guardian almost half of British teenagers reported feeling addicted to social media.
