Young people with Internet addiction experience changes in their brain chemistry that could lead to more addictive behaviors, research suggests.
He studypublished in PLOS Mental Health, reviewed previous research that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine how brain regions interact in people with Internet addiction.
They found that the effects were evident in multiple neural networks in the young people’s brains and that there was greater activity in parts of the brain when the participants were at rest.
At the same time, there was an overall decrease in functional connectivity in parts of the brain involved in active thinking, which is the brain’s executive control network responsible for memory and decision making.
The research found that these changes resulted in addictive behaviors and tendencies in adolescents, as well as behavioral changes related to mental health, development, intellectual ability, and physical coordination.
The researchers reviewed 12 previous studies involving 237 young people ages 10 to 19 with a formal diagnosis of Internet addiction between 2013 and 2023.
Almost half of British teenagers have said they feel addicted to social media, according to a survey this year.
Max Chang, lead author of the study and master’s student at UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH), said: “Adolescence is a crucial stage of development during which people go through significant changes in their biology, cognition and personality.
“As a result, the brain is particularly vulnerable to impulses related to Internet addiction during this time, such as compulsive Internet use, mouse or keyboard cravings, and media consumption.
“The findings of our study show that this can lead to potentially negative behavioral and developmental changes that could affect the lives of adolescents. For example, they may have difficulty maintaining relationships and social activities, lie about online activity, and experience irregular eating and sleep disorders.”
Chang added that he hoped the findings would demonstrate “how Internet addiction alters the connection between brain networks in adolescence,” which would then allow early signs of Internet addiction to be effectively treated.
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He added: “Doctors might prescribe treatments that target certain regions of the brain or suggest psychotherapy or family therapy that targets key symptoms of Internet addiction.
“It is important to highlight that educating parents about Internet addiction is another possible means 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 the risk factors surrounding Internet addiction.”
Irene Lee, lead author of the research paper, also based at GOS ICH, said: “There is no doubt that the Internet has certain advantages. However, when it starts to affect our daily lives, it is a problem.
“We advise young people to impose reasonable time limits on their daily Internet use and ensure they are aware of the psychological and social implications of spending too much time online.”