According to a study, excessive use of the Internet could affect the intellectual abilities and mental health of adolescents.
With almost half of British teenagers reporting being addicted to social media, a recent study once again shows that addiction to the Internet and social media could be affecting young people’s brains. But what do we mean by Internet addiction? According to the researchers, any person who finds themselves “unable to resist the urge to use the Internet, leading to negative effects on their psychological well-being as well as their social, academic and professional life” is considered addicted. Contrary to popular belief, dependence is therefore not reducible to the time spent, but to the intensity of connection. In France, a 2022 study published in Statista revealed that 29% of individuals surveyed believed they were dependent on their smartphone and social networks; A further 8% consider themselves “totally dependent”.
Internet addiction and brain functions
Published in PLOS Mental Health, the study examined 12 neuroimaging series performed between 2013 and 2022 on 237 adolescents aged 10 to 19 diagnosed with “internet addiction.” The results suggest that teenagers addicted to the Internet would experience changes in the chemistry of their brain, which would have the consequences of impacting their mental health, the development of their intellectual capacity or even their physical coordination. Researchers have noted in particular that excessive Internet use affects and alters areas of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex, involved in impulse control, decision-making and reward, leading to a “vicious cycle of addiction and compulsive behaviors.”
Particularly vulnerable teenagers
According to researchers, adolescents addicted to the Internet may present symptoms similar to those observed in individuals suffering from other forms of addiction, such as drug or alcohol dependence. Not surprising, according to Max Chang, lead author of the study: “Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage during which young people undergo significant changes in their biology, cognition and personality. As a result, the brain is particularly vulnerable to Internet addiction-related impulses during this time, such as compulsive Internet use and media consumption. » An addiction that causes potentially negative behavioral and developmental changes: difficulty maintaining relationships and social activities, lying about one’s online activities, eating and sleeping disorders.
Prevention and education to fight addiction
“Although this article presents a simple systematic review suggesting that there are associations between functional connectivity in the brain and Internet addiction, there are a number of fundamental limitations to be aware of and which are essential to any interpretation », However, observes David Ellis, behavioral specialist at the Institute for Security and Digital Behavior at the University of Bath, for CNN. In short: do not confuse correlation and causation. Nuanced comments shared by Max Chang, for whom “many causal links between what happens in the brain and what manifests itself through behavior still remain to be understood. »
Next step for the researcher and his team: demonstrate “how Internet addiction modifies the connection between brain networks in adolescence to treat the first signs of addiction. “Clinicians could potentially prescribe treatment targeting certain regions of the brain or suggest psychotherapy or family therapy targeting core symptoms of Internet addiction. » The researcher also calls for the vigilance of families: “It is important to note that educating parents about Internet addiction constitutes another possible avenue of prevention from a public health point of view. Parents who are aware of the early signs and onset of Internet addiction will more effectively manage screen time, impulsivity, and minimize risk factors related to Internet addiction. »
